Liam Thompson has been a promising addition to the Rams’ midfield since his debut in 2021. Derby County face a hard summer replacing midfield talents Max Bird and Conor Hourihane, but academy product Liam Thompson, 21, might be the ideal replacement already stationed at Pride Park.
Thompson made a surprising FA Cup debut against Chorley in the third round in January 2021 owing to a coronavirus outbreak in the senior squad, and has gradually established himself as a supporting midfielder for the Rams under three managers.
However, with Bird and Hourihane leaving for Bristol City and Barnsley, and Korey Smith being released, Derby are left with only three signed midfielders for the 2024/25 Championship season.
Despite a season marred by injuries, the 21-year-old has already made 60 league appearances for the club. Nonetheless, a shifting system made it difficult for him to establish himself as a starter on the club.
Thompson, who was a member of the 2018/19 U18 Premier League National title-winning team, will try to build on his already successful career in black and white.
What Thompson brings to the Derby
Thompson, an eager and dependable player, compensates for his lack of physical presence with an extremely high-pressing and tough-tackling style of play.
His one league goal came in December against Oxford United, as the Rams rallied from 2-0 down to win all three points on the road at the Kassam Stadium. Thompson equalized with a
header, using his speed and daring to tip in from five yards. The Nottingham-born midfielder is eager to win the ball back high up the pitch, having made 57 recoveries in League One in 2023/24 and won 85.7% of his challenges.
Thompson was a key player in Derby’s 4-2 away win over Peterborough United in August, but a quad injury sidelined him until the end of 2023. If he can address his fitness issues, he might save the Rams millions in replacement costs.
Partnering with potential acquisitions
Paul Warne has alternated between a two- and three-man midfield in his last two seasons at Derby, and after being linked with former loanees Ebou Adams and Herbie Kane, the trio might complement each other and make a vibrant base for the squad in the second division.
Adams, 28, helped the Rams to promotion last season after signing on loan from Cardiff City in January. His ability to break up play behind the two more advanced midfielders and initiate attacks was a major reason for their second-place result. Thompson may thrive alongside the former Forest Green Rovers player once more, as their opposing styles complement each other brilliantly.
Kane, 25, is a player more like the
Bird/Hourihane mould. His fourteen goals from the middle of the park were critical to Barnsley’s play-off success, and with 66 opportunities created, he outperformed all of Derby’s central midfielders in League One. Thompson’s toughness and ability to connect in with a variety of players make him an asset to Warne, and after accepting a 12-month contract extension, he will be expecting to make a bigger influence on both his and the Rams’ return to the Championship.
If he can step up, he may save the Rams millions of dollars and become an important player as they seek to establish themselves in the second tier.
Leave a Reply