Blackburn Rovers: Valerien Ismael "professionalism" questioned amid Lewis Travis "let down" comments | OneFootball

Lewis Travis' pending move from Blackburn Rovers to Derby County has caused quite the stir

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…

With just a week to go in the summer transfer window, the long-standing transfer saga involving Lewis Travis, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County is set to finally reach its conclusion.

However, that isn't to suggest that it has ended quietly, with Rovers boss Valerien Ismael dishing out a rather brutal verdict on Travis' recent actions following his side's maiden success of the Championship season, which came courtesy of a dominant 3-0 victory away at Hull City on Saturday lunchtime.

Once again, Blackburn's club captain was omitted from the matchday squad having also not featured in the 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City at Ewood Park on August 16, with it being reported that the East Lancashire club and Derby had agreed a fee for the midfielder, over two months after Football League World exclusively revealed John Eustace's desire to reunite with his former colleague at Pride Park.

Valerien Ismael's Lewis Travis comments criticised ahead of expected Blackburn Rovers exit

After Blackburn's victory in East Yorkshire on Saturday, Ismael was asked about the current state of play regarding Travis' expected exit after the reporting of the two clubs agreeing a £3m fee.

However, the Frenchman didn't hold back in his verdict on the situation, stating via the Lancashire Telegraph: "After Lewis Travis let down everyone in the last couple of weeks, we needed to adjust to manage the situation,"

"There's some negotiation ongoing and we will see what the next week will bring," Ismael added.

Speaking to Football League World, it's a situation which our Blackburn Rovers fan pundit, Simon Middlehurst, is glad is almost over, with the captain's lengthy spell at Ewood ending on an extremely sour note.

"I'm a bit 50/50 on it," Middlehurst told FLW.

"Obviously it's not good when news like that is being broadcast in such a way in public.

"Ultimately, you never know what's been said behind-closed-doors between player and manager. Lewis Travis has been a good servant to Blackburn and has been at the club since he was young. He obviously came through the academy and has been captain for the last couple of years.

"You'd like to think there would have been a bit of professionalism from both of them.

"There have been reports and rumours that Lewis Travis' attitude hasn't been great these past couple of seasons, maybe he's outgrown Blackburn or got to the point where he needs to move on.

"On that note, if another club is going to offer him more money, footballers' careers are quite short so it's understandable if he wants to go elsewhere.

"But, I think a little bit more professionalism would have been better from both. At the end of the day, Blackburn are still his club and are paying his wages, so it's been a difficult one.

"Hopefully it gets sorted this week. If Lewis Travis goes, great, all the best to him. He's been a good servant to Blackburn but hopefully we can move on now. Valerien Ismael is starting to get the squad that he wants. It's a fresh start for everyone."

Blackburn Rovers have already sourced potential Lewis Travis replacement as Derby County exit nears

It has been evident for some time that it is in the best interests of all parties that Travis swapped Ewood Park for Pride Park, with Derby bolstering their own central midfield department with a player who has racked up 243 appearances at the level, whilst Blackburn will also be content with the aforementioned fee.

Polish news outlet, Przeglad Sportowy, revealing that the club are finalising a move in excess of €2m for Legia Warsaw midfielder, Ryoya Morishita, and this comes after the capture of Moussa Baradji was also confirmed on Friday, with Ismael issuing a glowing review on the Malian box-to-box midfielder - who could be seen as the heir apparent to the outgoing Travis.

"He had a lot of interest and offers from big clubs in Europe, teams playing in Serie A in Italy and also in France. He’s remained strong in his position and in his desire to come to Rovers," Ismael said.