Well, it is just over 24 hours since Derby County were beaten in the Championship play-off semi-final by Fulham but speculation of who stays, goes or comes into the club has started.
Several players have mentioned in tweets that they will be staying, but is that just to placate the fans, or do they mean it?
Joe Ledley will he still be here at the start of next season?
Joe Ledley has indicated that he will be staying but his current contract with the Rams runs out on the 30th June. The question also has to be asked should Derby be looking for younger talent? Ledley is 31 and featured only as a substitute in the playoff games and that may be significant for the Cardiff born midfielder.
https://twitter.com/joe16led/status/996486469924638722
Luke Thomas is a young star that Derby should be looking to hold on to, but interest by at least one Premiership club could signal his departure. Luke has tweeted that he will “see you all next season”. Again we would ask is this just a young man happy to have made his first break into Championship football or is it a smokescreen to mask what is going on behind the scenes and with his agent? Here’s what he had to say:
Another season over, very special one for me to have made my championship debut! Thanks to all the fans for supporting us throughout the season! 👏 See you all next Season! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6gGP2u57tb
— Luke Thomas (@luke_luke19) May 15, 2018
Vydra scoring one of the goals that earned him the Championship golden boot this season
Speculation concerning Matej Vydra is rife on the internet and now the Rams have failed to make it to the Premiership there may be serious pressure to cash in on the 22 goal striker in the closed season. Estimates of his worth vary but a figure between £8m and £15m may tempt the Rams. Meeting FFP is also a reason that the Rams may lose Vydra for next season. Making the books balance will mean various players have to be moved on in the summer. Players such as Chris Martin and Craig Bryson need to know just where they stand in relation to playing for the Rams or moving on to new challenges.
Fans are even calling for the heads of two regular first team defenders. Calls to sell or release Richard Keogh and Craig Forsyth have been seen on Twitter and other social media. This may, of course, be just another knee-jerk reaction to the disappointment again suffered by Rams fans in this seasons playoffs.
