The “life-changing" money Lewis Travis is earning at Derby County that Blackburn Rovers could never match | OneFootball

The Rams captain's salary increase dwarfs what he was earning in Lancashire

When Lewis Travis secured his much-wanted summer move to Derby County, the midfielder received a salary increase that dwarfs what he was earning at Blackburn Rovers.

In a deal that includes a sell-on clause and could reportedly exceed the £3m mark, there’s no denying that Rovers perhaps secured the best possible outcome themselves.

Beyond the financial incentives, Travis' move was heavily influenced by his relationship with John Eustace, who had worked with the midfielder during his time as Blackburn manager.

Eustace's February departure from Blackburn to join the Rams created an opportunity for several Rovers players to follow their former boss, which, of course, included Danny Batth, Andi Weimann, Owen Beck and Dion Sanderson.

Along with being named the club's new captain in September, Travis has started all six of Derby's league games since joining - and FLW take a look at just how much he is earning compared to his time in Lancashire.

How much money Lewis Travis earns at Derby County compared to Blackburn Rovers

Yes, Travis spoke positively about "honest" Eustace's management style and ambitions for Derby County upon signing, which suggests that the move wasn't purely financial - but the numbers are worth looking at.

According to Capology estimates, Lewis Travis earns around £20,000-a-week at Derby, making him one of the highest-paid players at Pride Park.

This places him behind Ben Brereton Diaz and Carlton Morris, who are both on estimated wages of £25k-a-week, although there's the likelihood that Brereton Diaz's parent club, Southampton, pay his salary.

By comparison, Capology estimates show that Travis’s weekly wage stood at just £3,462 at Blackburn Rovers before his departure.

So, even though he was apparently among Blackburn’s top earners, Derby’s offer is close to six times higher as per the estimates - a huge increase for a player at this level.

It rightly suggests that the money is as "life-changing" as reported by The Lancashire Telegraph - and why it essentially priced Blackburn out of any realistic chance to retain their captain.

Since Travis’s arrival, Derby’s willingness to spend big has definitely raised both expectations and pressure, particularly as fans assess whether the investment is justified on the pitch.

Given the Rams also spent an initial £5.8m on American striker Patrick Agyemang and up to £3.5m on right-back Max Johnston, there is perhaps greater need for the players that came in for millions to prove themselves.

Agyemang's first goal for the club against Southampton allowed some weight to come off his shoulders, but Lewis Travis has gained more criticism than praise since joining - with one fan name-dropping both the ex-Rovers captain and Johnston under "negatives" from the Saints match.

Another even asked Rovers if they could take Travis back, while someone likened him to Robbie Williams after wanting Robin van der Laan.

Ultimately, for Travis, his Rams chapter will be defined by how he copes with the weight of expectation and the realities of life on a “life-changing” wage.

After Eustace mentioned his new captain "leads by example", you'd expect Travis to start proving himself fully to any sceptics after the international break, and that it's not just a case of the ex-Blackburn boss signing all his mates from his time there.