Derby County’s summer transfer window in 2023 was pivotal to winning promotion, with one key signing now playing a key role for Paul Warne after struggling at first.
Derby County have made a great start to life in the Championship following promotion from League One.
A return of three wins from their opening six matches has the Rams sitting comfortably in 10th position, five points above the relegation zone and two points adrift of the play-offs at this early stage.
Paul Warne has outlined a two-year plan that will excite Derby supporters as he aims to make strides in the second tier that can see his side challenge towards the top.
Keeping the current core of their first-team squad will be instrumental to achieving that goal, with one player set for a prosperous long-term future at Pride Park.
How Callum Elder has turned his Derby County career around
Callum Elder was captured from Championship side Hull City in the summer of 2023.
The Australian international was expected to nail down his spot on the left side of defence, either as a left-back or wing-back, but he struggled to start many games.
Elder started just eight times in the third tier as Warne preferred Louie Sibley or Craig Forsyth in that role, with the 29-year-old suffering from minor injury setbacks and a loss of form.
Fast forward to the present day and the attacking full-back is one of the first names on the team sheet, cementing his place as a starting left-back since Sibley departed for Oxford United.
A key source of energy and attacking impetus down the left, Elder is finally showing why Warne brought him to the club in 2023 after starting in each of their first six Championship games.
Derby journalist Leigh Curtis dubbed Elder as ‘terrific’ this term due to how he’s supported the attack with two big chances created and one assist but also his vital defensive work.
Derby County’s solid defensive record in 2024/25
In League One last season, Derby had the strongest defence in the division with just 37 goals conceded in 46 matches.
Warne has managed to translate that defensive solidity across to the second tier, with Derby conceding just three goals since shipping four on the opening day against Blackburn Rovers.
Keeping three clean sheets in three matches at Pride Park, the Rams have transformed their home into a fortress; a component that will be key to surviving in the Championship.
Through the transformation of Elder and the continued amazing partnership of Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson, Warne’s men have a major platform that has helped massively on their second-tier return.
