"Tricky one" - Doubts raised over 22-year-old's Derby County future following promotion | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County fan pundit has given his view on midfielder Liam Thompson's future at the club.

This article is part of Football League World’s 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Derby County are preparing for life back in the Championship after their promotion from League One.

The Rams made an inconsistent start to the season, with many supporters calling for manager Paul Warne to be sacked, but they enjoyed an excellent second half of the campaign to finish in second place behind champions Portsmouth.

It could be a busy few months for Derby as they look to upgrade their squad for the Championship, and strengthening in central midfield will be one of Warne's main priorities following the departures of Max Bird, Conor Hourihane and Korey Smith, while there is uncertainty over whether the club will be able to re-sign Cardiff City's Ebou Adams after his successful loan spell.

The Rams have taken up their option to extend midfielder Liam Thompson's contract for a further year, and it could be a big season ahead for the 22-year-old.

Thompson came through the Derby academy, and he did feature regularly for the first team last season, but he struggled to nail down a regular starting spot in the team.

Doubts around whether Liam Thompson is good enough

FLW's Derby County fan pundit Shaun Woodward admits he has doubts over whether Thompson is good enough for the Championship, and he says he is keen to see the club bring in three or four midfield additions this summer.

"Thompson's a tricky one because when he first came into the team, that was in the Championship, and he did look good," Shaun said.

"He's struggled since we got relegated to settle in League One, he's been in and out of the team, he's never really nailed down a place, so it's a difficult one moving back up to the Championship to know whether Paul Warne sees him as someone who can step up and meet the grade in that league.

"I'm not sure if I'm honest.

"That's up to Paul Warne to decide, but I'm not too sure if I'm honest. "We're very, very short in central midfield at the moment after losing Smith, Adams, Hourihane and Bird, we haven't really got anyone, so he's pretty much our only central midfielder. "I can't see him going anywhere unless we bring in three or four new additions, which I hope we do pretty quickly. "I personally don't think he's good enough.

"That sounds harsh because I love the guy and he gives his all for the club, but if we're going to be a team in the Championship that's going to have ambitions, I don't see him as part of that."

It was an excellent achievement for Derby to win automatic promotion from League One, but their performances were unconvincing at times, and they will need to improve the squad if they are to be competitive in the Championship.

The Rams are keen to sign Adams permanently after his successful loan spell, but he must not be the club's only midfield signing this summer, and as Shaun says, they may have to bring in three or four new additions in that area of the team.

Thompson was a useful player to have in the squad this season, but the fact that he only made six starts raises question marks over whether he will be part of Warne's plans in the second tier.

After Derby activated their option to keep him for another year, Thompson will likely remain at the club for now, but if his minutes are limited in the first half of the season, Warne could decide to send him out on loan in January.