Derby County backed to strike deal with Crystal Palace man - 'he might force a move' | OneFootball

David Ozoh has made a positive impact at Derby County since his second loan from Crystal Palace

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…

When fit, Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh has made a positive impact at Derby County under John Eustace, though injury woes have blighted his time with the Rams.

Having begun the season with just one win in their opening ten league games, Derby have turned things around under manager John Eustace to fire themselves into the play-off conversation.

It was a busy summer at Pride Park, seeing 13 new additions under the watch of Eustace, including the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz and Bobby Clark on loan, and Patrick Agyemang and Max Johnston in multi-million-pound deals.

Alongside those additions was the arrival of David Ozoh, 20, from Crystal Palace on loan, with the towering midfielder returning to the Rams after an injury-laden loan spell with the club last season.

Ozoh made just ten league appearances for Derby last campaign, but Eustace saw enough to bring him back once again, and though he missed a ten-game period between November and January with a thigh injury, when on the pitch, he has often been one of the standout performers.

David Ozoh is 'loved' at Derby County and has been urged to 'reciprocate loyalty' to the Rams

Ozoh's emergence into the fold has subsequently seen beloved captain Ebou Adams depart for Portsmouth this January, much as is his importance to the Rams side, sparking murmurs over a potential permanent move for the England youth international.

Football League World's Derby fan pundit, Shaun, has shared their thoughts on whether they believe that the Rams would be able to sign Ozoh on a permanent basis this summer, or whether he could make an impact at Crystal Palace.

Shaun said, "There are a lot of factors to take into consideration. One being what league Crystal Palace are in next season. Another one, they're likely to sell Wharton, and they're going to be light in midfield. I'm not saying Ozoh is a replacement for Wharton because they're very different players, but midfield is obviously going to be an area they're going to need to strengthen."Ozoh is out of contract, I believe, this summer, and a lot will depend on what Crystal Palace want to do, whether they want to offer him a new contract and they see him as part of their plans, or whether they want to make a bit of money on him now. And it also depends on what he wants. He might force a move, or he might want to leave."He's obviously loved at Derby, and we've been patient with him as well. He's had a lot of injuries at Derby, but we've obviously put an arm around him. We've told him how important he is, and he's a big part of our plans, and he's clearly enjoying his football at Derby, and when he's fit, he's a real force to be reckoned with at this level."I know loyalty isn't like it used to be in football, but I would like to think that we've shown Ozoh some loyalty, and it would be nice if he reciprocated that and he'd want to join us when his contract runs out. So it'd be interesting. There are a lot of things that have to pan out."I think first and foremost, where Palace are, what league they're in, because they are dropping quite like a stone at the moment. And if they end up in the Championship with us, then that could change a lot of things for them, what their targets are. So if they stay up, hopefully he's not part of their plans, and we can try and get in there and prise him away, but yeah, it would be great to see him come to Derby. If he can stay injury-free, then he's a real player at this level and could be going into the Premier League, hopefully with us."

John Eustace should consider a permanent swoop for David Ozoh despite persistent injury woes

Despite Ozoh having struggled with injuries during his 18 months with Derby, it has been made evident that in the time he has been on the pitch as to how talented he is.

The Spanish-born midfielder has competed with the likes of Lewis Travis, Liam Thompson, previously Ebou Adams, and now Oscar Fraulo in Derby's midfield, following the Dane's move from German side Borussia Monchengladbach.

When fully fit, Ozoh is one of the first names on the team sheet, with his athleticism a key component of his game.

He has made ten first-team appearances for Palace in the Premier League thus far, and has continued his development in the English second tier, as have many fully-fledged England internationals in the past.

Whether Ozoh will sign fresh terms with Palace, with his contract due to expire at Selhurst Park this summer, remains to be seen. What is certain, though, is that Derby will be one of the clear favourites for his signature on a permanent basis, having made a positive impact since his move to Pride Park.

Eustace, despite Ozoh's injury woes, should consider a permanent move for the highly-talented midfielder, as if he can get over these injury problems as his career progresses, Derby could have a serious player on their hands.