Derby County have made a strong start to their Championship return.
Currently in tenth place, the Rams have secured victories against Middlesbrough and Bristol City, and performed well in draws against Watford and Blackburn Rovers.
This season, Derby’s midfield has been revamped with David Ozoh, Ebou Adams, Kenzo Goudmijn, and Ben Osborn all earning significant praise early on.
While the team has added several new attackers, their defense has largely remained the same. They’ve recently brought in Nat Phillips on loan, but the backline that kept two clean sheets is the same unit that excelled in League One.
Callum Elder, who struggled with injuries last season and only made eight appearances, has started all four games this season.
Callum Elder has had an underrated start to the season.
The left-back hasn’t been making headlines recently, but journalist Leigh Curtis has praised his performances, calling them ‘terrific’ so far.
In an article for Derbyshire Live, Curtis noted: “This season, he’s shown the quality Derby hoped for when they signed him to a three-year deal after his stint with Hull City. His energy levels have been impressive, and he’s supported the attack effectively. Despite his performances flying under the radar, he deserves recognition for his attacking contributions from full-back.
“But his impact isn’t limited to attacking play. His defensive skills have been evident, particularly in Derby’s two home games where they’ve kept clean sheets. His aggressive forward runs and strong start to the season have been encouraging, especially after the challenges he faced last year. It’s great to see him thrive.”
Derby County’s League One defense is making a strong impression in the Championship.
In last week’s win against Bristol City, Elder achieved an impressive 94% pass accuracy, contributed two headers, two tackles, and made a remarkable nine clearances—more than any other player on the field.
With Louie Sibley’s departure, the 29-year-old’s primary competition is now Craig Forsyth, who is 36 years old. Elder faces minimal pressure on his position, but his outstanding start to the season is likely easing Paul Warne’s team selection decisions.
Although the Rams’ defense is composed largely of players from League One, they’ve performed well in their early games. It would be surprising if Nat Phillips doesn’t start, and it seems unlikely that Eiran Cashin will be the one making way.