Derby County should not sign Ipswich Town star – These 3 players are perfect alternatives | OneFootball

A look at some alternatives for Derby County to consider, rather than pursuing a move for Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy.

Derby County are looking to rebuild over this summer in order to sustain themselves and once again become a stalwart of the Championship under the management of John Eustace.

Eustace steered the Rams clear from relegation and eventually confirmed their second-tier status on the final day of last season with a goalless draw against Stoke City at Pride Park.

Derby did so with what was already an ageing and experienced squad, but Eustace and the club have decided to continue to lean towards age and experience in this summer’s transfer window.

Carlton Morris has arrived from Luton Town for an undisclosed fee alongside the additions of goalkeeper Richie O’Donnell, centre-back Danny Batth and versatile attacker Andreas Weimann.

However, that recruitment policy seems to have no end in sight with the Rams now reportedly interested in a move for Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy.

Morsy’s experience is valuable and he is clearly an excellent operator at Championship level, but Derby should be cautious about their pursuit of him, with younger alternatives perhaps more suitable for the medium-to-long-term.

Football League World has taken a look at three of those more suited alternatives for Eustace and Derby to target in order to revamp and reshape their squad with the injection of some youth.

Jon Russell

Already the reported target of several clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United and Stoke City – as well as Derby, as exclusively revealed by Football League World, Russell is certainly someone who should be prioritised over the signing of Morsy.

Russell, adept at playing across the centre of midfield, whether that be as a defensive midfielder or even pushing forward to become a nuisance in the attacking third, as well as his more natural, all-action, box-to-box role.

Russell, who came through the academy at Chelsea, enjoyed an impressive loan stint at Accrington Stanley before then progressing from Huddersfield Town’s B team setup and into the first-team.

However, after a difficult second season at the Terriers, he eventually found himself moving on to their Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in the winter transfer window of the 2022/23 campaign.

He has emerged as a real asset and talent for the Tykes, providing goals and a presence moving forward from midfield at Oakwell in League One last season, and is beginning to fulfil his potential.

At the age of 24, the Hounslow-born Jamaica international is surprisingly already sought after and Derby should absolutely pursue him as he looks likely to establish himself as a Championship regular next season and moving forward – and Derby should make sure that is with them.

Marc Leonard

In the summer of 2024, the ambitious and big spending Birmingham City built a squad that would eventually break the EFL points tally by amassing 111 points in League One.

Their team and squad was well built with smart recruitment and a part of that recruitment saw them bring in Marc Leonard on a permanent deal from Brighton and Hove Albion, with the young Scotsman having thrived at Northampton Town on loan during the 2023/24 campaign.

However, he was never guaranteed minutes and, despite his quality, Birmingham’s ambition appears to go even further than Leonard, and it could well be that he is set to deemed surplus to requirements at St Andrews as they seek promotion back to the Premier League.

That doesn’t mean he isn’t more than capable of playing a pivotal role for someone in the Championship as someone who could be a tempo setter from midfield, whilst also adept at the so-called ‘ugly’ side of the game.

A permanent deal may not be too unrealistic either, and Leonard, at the age of 23, is expected to become a Championship regular for the rest of his career. Derby should get ahead of the game and make him a key cog in their midfield if a deal could be struck.

Toby Collyer

Perhaps a more fanciful or at least a more ambitious target for the role would be Manchester United youngster Toby Collyer, who broke into the first-team at times last season.

Collyer could well end up forming a part of Ruben Amorim’s plans with the Red Devils, but his development and progression is still likely to be stunted by a lack of playing time at Old Trafford.

He has yet to really show that he is capable of potentially drawing Premier League interest into a loan or a permanent move, so becoming a guaranteed starter for a season in the Championship may well benefit him.

Hard-working and versatile would suit Eustace down to the ground, and Collyer offers that, with the ability to bring in a higher technical level for the Rams next season.

It may not be one that will benefit them for the long-term but, in a squad crying out for a bit of youthful exuberance and energy, it would be a bit of a coup for Derby to pick up.