Derby County: Paul Warne must have one clear strategy in final days of transfer window - View | OneFootball

The Rams are yet to sign a defender this summer, and Warne must improve the backline before the deadline.

Derby County's return to the Championship has been steady, if not uninspiring, having won one of their three league games while losing the other two - both of which were away from home.

The Rams have scored four goals in those games, with Ebou Adams' second minute volley against Watford the most recent of those.

Yet, it has not been scoring goals that has been the issue so far for Paul Warne's team. Despite Derby possessing the best defence in League One in 2023/24, this season they have struggled to maintain that solid wall throughout the 270-plus minutes of Championship football.

Moussa Sissoko's 76th minute winner at Vicarage Road on Saturday was the sixth goal that the Rams have conceded in the league in 2024/25, and while the defence was extremely solid against Middlesbrough, it will be susceptible to struggling when teams attack it with pace.

However, Warne is yet to add to his backline this summer, and although another striker is definitely needed, there is also a desire from Derby supporters to bring in a young, quick centre-back.

Derby Coutny have conceded goals that they should have prevented so far this season

The Rams' 1-0 victory over Boro at Pride Park epitomised everything that was great about the team last season, but, the Championship will throw more surprises and quality than League One did, and Warne needs to recognise that.

The early lead against Watford seemed to play into the home team's hands more than it did Derby's. The Hornets were allowed to attack the Rams at will at times, and although not many chances were created, Watford did seem the more likely to score at any given moment.

Contrary to the quality of the equaliser from Vakoun Bayo, it was a missed header from Sonny Bradley that allowed the chance to be taken.

It was another harsh lesson for Derby to take just three weeks into the campaign, having been caught on the break on three occasions in their opening fixture against Blackburn Rovers.

After levelling the game up at 1-1, the Rams looked to be in the ascendancy, but three quick-fire goals killed off any chance of taking three points back to the East Midlands.

It can be said that with a bit more discipline these goals could have been avoided, but it has been a lack of pace at the back that has forced Derby into playing with a rather stagnant backline, and Warne must change this.

Derby must turn to Premier League loans to inject pace

Eiran Cashin is the Rams' most promising centre-back, and although he has started slowly this season, he will grow into the league as the year progresses.

He missed Saturday's match due to concussion protocols after an incident with teammate Callum Elder against Middlesbrough, and this only added to the Rams' problems.

Despite the quality of Curtis Nelson and Bradley in the air, they will be and have been beaten by young, quick forwards one-on-one.

Warne must turn his attention to the loan market before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm on August 30, with the likes of Jadel Katongo from Manchester City a perfect example of someone who can transform the Derby defence.

The 19-year-old made 43 appearances for Peteborough United in all competitions last season, with his raw speed a key attribute to his game.

Katongo was primarily played at right-back for the Posh, but has come through Man City's development sides in a more central position, and this versatility could interest Warne.

Derby operated with a three-strong defence for nearly half of 2023/24, and the addition of Katongo could allow something similar to happen, with the anchor of Nelson between Cashin and the young City defender.

This pace could give the Rams a new dynamic, and potentially allow them to play with more attacking freedom due to a more mobile defensive line.