Derby County told to take Curtis Nelson contract action on one condition | OneFootball

FLW’s Derby County fan pundit has issued his thoughts on whether defender Curtis Nelson should earn a new contract at Pride Park.

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 had a slow start to the new Championship season under John Eustace.

The Rams have collected just two points from their opening four games and are yet to taste victory after suffering late heartbreak at Ipswich Town last weekend, something they will be looking to rectify immediately after the international break.

The East Midlands outfit has undergone a period of change to the playing squad though, with 13 new additions still taking time to gel and get used to Eustace’s methods.

Another two weeks on the training ground will be imperative to gearing them up for their trip to West Brom, a club they have tended to get the better of in recent times.

Looking ahead to the end of the 2025-26 season, Derby currently have eight senior first-team figures who are out of contract, including defender Curtis Nelson.

The 32-year-old linked up at Pride Park ahead of the 2023-24 season, featuring 40 times as Derby made their return to the Championship.

Last term, he made a further 27 appearances as Derby maintained their second-tier status, although injury has prevented him from playing for the club so far this term.

With this news in mind, FLW’s Derby County fan pundit has commented on whether Nelson should be offered a new deal by the club come the end of the season.

Curtis Nelson backed to earn a new Derby County provided he maintains fitness

Speaking to Football League World, Derby County fan pundit Shaun Woodward believes Curtis Nelson has the quality to warrant being offered a new contract, but insists he must prove he can stay fit for the majority of the campaign to earn it.

Shaun said: “If the medical team believe Curtis Nelson can come back to full fitness, then I 100% think we should extend his contract.

“He’s the kind of player that every club needs. He was colossal last season alongside Cashin, he taught the young man so much about the game, and he really did come on leaps and bounds when he was alongside Nelson.

“I think Nelson would also support the development of Langas and I think he gives a real calmness to the back. He’s a leader, he goes about his game quietly, but he’s such a professional, and I think he’s the kind of player you need.

“If we go to a back three, I think he’ll be invaluable alongside Langas and Clarke. I wouldn’t say he would get into a back two when he’s fit, because I do believe Langas and Clarke are ahead of him right now, but what a player to have if you change to a three or to come off the bench just to see a game out.

“I still believe he’s got more to give to Derby, and he’s such a good influence on the dressing room, so I would definitely look to extend his contract if they believe he can come back from his injury and get back to the standards he was at last season.”

Curtis Nelson needs to prove fitness to earn new Derby County deal

Pride Park general

There’s no doubt Curtis Nelson is a hugely important player in the Derby County backline, demonstrating that by being named Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season during the Rams' promotion-winning campaign from League One, helping the club keep 22 clean sheets.

He was then a regular when making the step-up to the second-tier, playing every minute up until matchday 27 last season, when he suffered torn knee ligaments against Watford.

His leadership, ability to organise a backline and to anticipate danger have been key reasons for him being such a success at Pride Park, and it would be a shame to see injuries derail the latter stages of his career.

When Nelson returns and builds up his minutes, he will be firmly back in contention for a starting spot under John Eustace, but he will have to have an injury-free remainder of the campaign in order to extend his current three-year stay.

It’s crunch time to see whether Nelson has a future beyond this season at Derby, and he’ll be hoping his body doesn’t let him down when he eventually makes his return to action.