Derby County “big worry” outlined as Rams urged to make contract call | OneFootball

FLW’s Derby County fan pundit has reflected on whether Callum Elder should be offered a new contract at Pride Park.

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 have had a rather slow start to the 2025-26 Championship campaign under John Eustace.

The Rams sit narrowly above the relegation zone after nine league games, taking just eight points from a possible 27 on offer.

Derby’s only victory so far this term was claimed at The Hawthorns against West Brom, while they have suffered three defeats and added a fifth draw of the term last weekend against Southampton.

It was a positive result for the East Midlands outfit to claim after they came from behind against the Saints to earn a point, with the club hoping this can be the catalyst to help them string some victories together that can catapult them towards the top end of the table.

Eustace has had previous experience of getting Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City into the promotion mix over his managerial career, but questions will be raised as to whether he can do it at Pride Park too.

One player who will be aiming to contribute towards a change in fortunes is full-back Callum Elder, who has been at Derby since the summer of 2023.

Joining the club in the third-tier, Elder made 22 appearances for the club as they gained promotion back to the Championship, although injuries did impact his playing time during that term.

Last season back in the second-tier, Elder once again had his fair share of injury trouble that limited him to just 29 appearances, with groin and knee problems leading to another disrupted season.

Now, Elder has returned this term and has maintained his fitness so far, featuring six times and was only unavailable against Southampton due to feeling unwell.

While there will be concern about his injury record, Elder has invaluable experience at this level, able to play left-back and in a more attacking role on the wing when called upon by Eustace.

He has entered the final year of his deal this season though, and with this in mind, our Derby County fan pundit has outlined his thoughts on whether he is deserving of extending his stay at Pride Park.

Derby County urged to hand Callum Elder new contract due to left-sided weaknesses

Speaking to Football League World, Derby County fan pundit Shaun Woodward believes the club should be offering Callum Elder an extended stay due to his improvements in a Derby shirt and the Rams’ shortcomings on their left side.

Shaun said: “I think Callum Elder deserves a short new contract, maybe a one or two-year contract.

“He’s a good age, been quite consistent under John Eustace, looked a lot better going forward by putting in some good crosses, getting some assists and scoring his first goal for us this season against Coventry, and I’ve been quite impressed with his performances when he’s played.

“He’s another one that has struggled with injuries. He struggled in the early part of his career for Derby and I did worry about what we’d signed as I was expecting good things from him in League One, but he’s got better as his career has gone on with Derby.

“He looked a lot better towards the back end of last season, but the left side of our pitch is a real cause for concern because we have the likes of Corey Blackett-Taylor and Owen Beck, who are always injured. Beck hasn’t played for us yet, and he’s not our player anyway.

“Craig Forsyth, for as good as he is and as brilliant as he’s been, he’s 37, or he’s going to be next season, so Callum Elder, based on all of that, should be given a new contract, but regardless, Derby need to strengthen the left side of the pitch as it’s a big worry moving forward.”

Derby County can benefit from Callum Elder contract extension

Pride Park general

Callum Elder has been a player who has thrived more in the Championship than he has in League One while at Derby.

As our Derby fan pundit alluded to, Elder has improved the longer his Derby stay has gone on, and while injuries have disrupted some of his momentum, he is a player that offers immense versatility, guile and quality both in his defensive and attacking duties wherever he is playing.

He’s been such an important player this term already due to the sheer number of injuries Derby have had on the left side so far this season, with Corey Blackett-Taylor and Owen Beck struggling to stay outside the treatment room.

And with Craig Forsyth coming towards the end of his playing days, it’s imperative the club keeps the left side looking as strong as possible, and Elder’s presence definitely helps work towards that target.

Amassing close to 150 appearances in the Championship, the former Australian international’s experience at this level is something that needs to be kept inside their dressing room, with that know-how vital when the club is involved in either a relegation scrap or competing for a top six place.