Derby County told Coventry City transfer deal would "make no sense at all" | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County fan pundit has given his verdict on the potential signing of Coventry City defender Jake Bidwell.

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 are preparing for another year in the Championship after securing survival under John Eustace last season.

Derby looked to be in serious danger of making an immediate return to League One under former manager Paul Warne, but Eustace inspired a significant upturn in form after making the shock move to Pride Park from play-off-chasing Blackburn Rovers in February, with his side achieving safety on the final day of the season.

As Eustace rebuilds his squad, a number of senior players have left the club this summer, including the likes of Sonny Bradley, Jeff Hendrick, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Conor Washington, while the Rams have brought in six new signings during what has been a busy start to the transfer window.

Defender Owen Beck became Derby's latest new addition when he completed a season-long loan move from Liverpool on Friday, but despite the Welshman's arrival, it seems Eustace may be looking to bring in another left-back, with the Daily Mail revealing that the East Midlands outfit are keen on Coventry City's Jake Bidwell.

Bidwell scored one goal and provided one assist in 31 appearances for the Sky Blues last season as they finished fifth in the Championship, and he only signed a new contract with the club in January to keep him at the CBS Arena until 2027, but he could be allowed to depart this summer amid interest from the Rams.

Derby County warned against Jake Bidwell, Coventry City transfer swoop

When asked for his thoughts on the potential signing of Bidwell, FLW's Derby County fan pundit Shaun Woodward claimed it would make no sense for the Rams to sign the Coventry defender, and he questioned why Eustace needs another left-back as he already has Beck, Craig Forsyth and Callum Elder at his disposal.

"Signing Jake Bidwell would make no sense at all," Shaun told FLW.

"We've just given Craig Forsyth a new contract, we've got Callum Elder as well, and we've just signed Owen Beck on loan for the season.

"I don't understand why we'd want a fourth left-back, unless it means we're potentially releasing Elder.

"It could mean that Forsyth isn't really in John Eustace plans, or maybe he sees him in a coaching role, I don't know.

"It's a strange one for me because we're stacked with left-backs, and we probably need to be looking at the other side of the pitch.

"It wouldn't make any sense."

Derby County should avoid Jake Bidwell move after Owen Beck arrival

It is difficult to disagree with Shaun that there is no obvious need for Derby to make a move for Bidwell this summer.

After signing Beck on loan from Liverpool, it seems likely he will be the Rams' first choice left-back next season, particularly given that he worked under Eustace during his loan spell at Blackburn last term, and Forsyth and Elder are both more than capable back-up options.

From Bidwell's point of view, after losing his place at Coventry to Jay Dasilva in recent months, it would make little sense for him to move to a club where he could potentially receive even less game time, so it would certainly be a surprise to see the deal materialise.