As RamZone speculated earlier this week, Liverpool has agreed for defender Andre Wisdom to join Derby on loan. The England Under 21 International Captain joins the Rams on a season long ‘youth - loan’ deal (there’s a new one — how many types are there!?).
With Zak Whitbread confirmed as having sustained a calf injury that will keep him out for at least two matches — Wisdom may be in line for an immediate call up when the Rams welcome Birmingham to Pride Park on Saturday.
Liverpool has high hopes for Wisdom who can play as a right back or centre half with Brendan Rogers reportedly looking at this move as part of his development to becoming a regular in the back four at Anfield.
Speaking to the official DCFC site - Steve McClaren was happy to capture a youngster many other championship clubs had been chasing:
"Andre is a very good and a promising player who we’re delighted to welcome to Derby County. Liverpool obviously thinks a lot of him but he’s at the stage of his development where he needs to play some first-team games, and we’re delighted they see Derby as the place to do that."
"We’ve had a few injuries in defence of late and Andre will bring extra qualities as well as more competition for places, which is always welcome.”
‘Andre Alexander Shaquille Wisdom’ is a 20 year old, Leeds born defender who began his career at Bradford City before signing for Liverpool Academy in 2008.
He is the current England U21’s Captain and been a member of the England youth team at various levels, winning the UEFA European U-17 Championship in 2010 and the U-16 team who lifted the 2008 Victory Shield.
He has made brief appearances for the Liverpool first team in both the League Cup and the League and has always been on the cusp of selection with age and experience all that is holding him back from taking that next step. His time at Derby is part of the process to help him take that step.
With DCFC having such a highly rated academy and team of coaches — it is long overdue that the club uses it as a way to lure for young players stuck in purgatory, between reserve and first team in top flight football.
Many reports have suggested that the move is a way to grease the wheels with Derby in terms of future negotiations for Will Hughes, and frankly if that is true, I welcome the grease!
If a club like Liverpool want to use Derby as a development ground for their best youngsters, then we could enter into far worse arrangements (and quite often have). If this loan signals an ongoing player exchange program, that is sparked by Hughes being signed by Liverpool and loaned back to Derby (as has been regularly touted), then as long as the Pool are happy to part with 15 million plus for the Rams boy wonder to seal the deal — then bring it on!
In less positive news it was confirmed on Tuesday that Zak Whitbread will be sidelined for at least two weeks after scans on the calf injury picked up early in the match at Watford.
At 29 years of age — Calf injuries are often considered the "old mans injury” as once they are picked us — the older you are the harder they are to shake off.
Whitbread will be missing from action for at least a couple of weeks but will be monitored closely by the club to ensure the injury does not derail his season.
The Rams have added Wisdom at just the right time and it will be interesting to see if Buxton starts on Saturday to give the new boy time to settle in, or if the highly rated youngster will be thrown straight into action in the centre of defence.
Whatever happens, if Wisdom is required (and when isn’t it... ha ha... sorry...), he arrives with a pedigree and enough experience to suggest he will be immediately up for the challenge.
Later this week — RamZone will present a comprehensive player profile for new signing Andre Wisdom, just as we did for Simon Dawkins over the weekend.
If you missed our Dawkins profile — read it now by clicking HERE!