Derby County move for Bristol City star questioned - 'It would make no sense' | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit has questioned the validity of the Rams' interest in Bristol City goalkeeper in Max O'Leary.

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 been busy in the January transfer window, with two new permanent signings already through the door, and links to several players.

David Datro Fofana is on the Rams' shortlist, while Oscar Fraulo and Dion Sanderson joined the club earlier this winter, with the latter making his loan deal a permanent one in DE24.

However, on Wednesday, John Eustace's side were linked with a move for Bristol City goalkeeper Max O'Leary. According to a report from Sky Sports (January 14, 1:49pm), the East Midlands outfit have joined Blackburn Rovers and QPR in showing an interest in the 29-year-old.

O'Leary has found himself down the pecking order at Ashton Gate this season, and is looking for more game time elsewhere in the Championship. But, he may not find it at Derby.

Verdict made on Derby County's Max O'Leary interest

The Republic of Ireland international has played just five times in the Championship this season, with Radek Vitek taking on the responsibility of number one for the Robins.

All five of those appearances have come in Bristol City's last five games, but when asked whether the Rams need O'Leary, Football League World's Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, said: "If Derby are genuinely interested in Max O'Leary, then to me it must mean that we've got interest in Zetterstrom. I cannot see why Max O'Leary would want to come from a team where he's on the bench to another team on the bench.

"He's not going to be taking Zetterstrom's place unless he leaves. So, it would make no sense at all for us to go in for him as a number two. Unfortunately, that probably sounds like Zetterstrom could be off if this is genuinely legitimate."

Shaun continued: "I don't personally think it will happen, because at the moment, Zetterstrom's playing really well. He's thriving at Derby. He's on the international scene; it's all going well for him. Unless a ridiculous offer comes in from a Premier League club, I can't see why he would want to leave.

"Equally, I couldn't see why O'Leary would want to come to Derby. We've got because he's a very good number two in Josh Vickers, who appears quite happy in that position, and I can't see us shuffling that around unless there's interest in Zetterstrom."

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom should not lose his place to Max O'Leary

While O'Leary has plenty of Championship experience, currently, he is no match for Derby's current number one in the form of Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

The Swedish shot-stopper has reached a tremendous level this season, and his performance against Middlesbrough on New Year's Day was a particularly excellent showing as he kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory at Pride Park.

With the World Cup his target through the qualifiers with Sweden, Zetterstrom will want to continue this form and with the fanbase behind him in the East Midlands, the decision to move on right now may not be in his mind.

However, if Derby do receive an offer for the 27-year-old that they deem too good to turn down, then a move for O'Leary would offer them the short-term cover that they need ahead of the summer transfer window.