Derby County’s terrible descent into hell, Wayne Rooney’s club

Champion of England in 1972 and 1975, semi-finalist of the Champions League in 1973, a last stint in the Premier League during a chaotic 2007/2008 financial year (only 11 points acquired), Derby County is a known face in Premier League. Moreover, between 2014 and 2019, the club regularly fought to return there with 4 participations in the promotion play-offs, including finals lost in 2014 and 2019. Last possibility for the Rams to rally the elite, defeat 2 -1 against Aston Villa hurt since the club were at their peak. In this team, we found Scott Carson (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan), Mason Mount (Chelsea) and Harry Wilson (West Ham), all under the orders of Frank Lampard.

A good period for the Derbyshire team, but it has become very complicated since. Tenth in 2020, Derby County had a very complicated last season where Philipp Cocu was removed from his post. The Dutchman was replaced by Wayne Rooney who officiates as a player coach and for a small point, the Rams held on unlike Wycombe Wanderers. Remaining in the Championship, Wayne Rooney’s gang saved the essentials, but that did not mean the end of the problems. Banned from recruiting by the FA for big financial problems, Derby County could only count on the reinforcements of free players like Phil Jagielka, Sam Baldock or the eternal hope Ravel Morrison. From then on, it was difficult to be calm for the Rams.

An XXL sanction that comes at the worst time

Preparing with a small group of 13 players, Wayne Rooney has finally managed to stay the course for the start of the season even if the latest results (3 draws and 2 losses in the last 5 matches in all competitions) are not very reassuring. Sixteenth in the Championship with 7 points (2 points ahead of the red zone), Derby County could have had a much more handicapping start for the rest of the season. But recent events are not working in the Rams’ favor. The club’s financial situation has not improved in recent months. In an insolvency situation, the club risks severe penalties as explained by the EFL (which manages the English D2, D3 and D4) in a press release: “With the confirmation from the Derby County Football Club that they have filed a notice of intention to appoint directors, the EFL can confirm tonight that the club will be subject to an insolvency case under the terms of the settlement of the EFL. As a result, the Club faces a 12 point deduction. “

EFL statement: Derby County.#EFL https://t.co/EYxI1jy3N8

– EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) September 17, 2021

Recently, Derby County was disappointed that it was unable to qualify for a € 10million loan, but the EFL immediately responded: “The League is disappointed with the comments made by the club regarding the Covid loan facilities. The EFL contracted an increase in debt to provide its clubs with access to funds that would help them cope with the impact of the Covid and, as with any loan, this was subject to a deadline and criteria. eligibility that Derby County was unable to meet. “ The blow would therefore be severe for Derby County if this sanction were confirmed, because the club would drop to last place with -5 points, thus finding itself ten lengths from the first relegation.

Thus, the start of the season would take a chaotic turn and the specter of relegation would be very close. Like Bolton Wanderers who have come close to disappearance or Bury FC who have gone out of business and whose fans are trying to revive the club, Derby County can expect the worst. The situation is not yet critical at this point, but the red alert is already present. Whether it is Wayne Rooney, his leaders or his players, they risk having a very long season …