John Eustace has a plan up his sleeve for Derby County’s captain missing out on Sam Morsy will not be a concern…
Derby County took their first victory of the 2025/26 campaign on Friday evening as they beat Austrian side RB Salzburg in a friendly.
The Rams travelled to the mountainous nation earlier in the week, with John Eustace taking 30 players with him to a training camp before facing a side who featured in the Club World Cup in June.
First half goals from Corey Blackett-Taylor and Kayden Jackson ensured a win for the East Midlands outfit, and the team will now return to England for away fixtures against Walsall and Burton Albion in the next seven days.
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Eustace played two different sides on Friday, with the team for the first 60 minutes being a much stronger XI. However, once again he had a plan for his captain at Derby, Ebou Adams.
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Ebou Adams looks set to play in a more advanced role at Derby County again
When Paul Warne was in charge of the Rams, Adams played in a holding midfield role and although he did get forward from time to time, his main focus was on the defensive work.
Ebou Adams of Derby County celebrates avoiding relegation after Derby County draw 0-0 with Stoke City
Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images
However, after the arrival of Eustace in February, the 29-year-old was brought further forward in a midfield trio that contained Harrison Armstrong, Liam Thompson and the Gambia international.
Playing in this more attacking position allowed Adams to initiate the press quicker and with the energy of the two younger players behind him, he had more time to get himself back into a defensive area.
He also started to become more of a threat in the final third, scoring six goals over the course of the Championship campaign. Considering Derby had issues on that front, it was vital that those in the middle of the park were finding the back of the net.
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The Rams will not be worried about Sam Morsy, but another midfielder is needed
Adams praised Eustace after the Rams survived on the final day of last season, but the head coach at Pride Park has been looking for a new midfielder to help strengthen his team quickly.
Sam Morsy had been linked with a move to Derby, but the Ipswich Town captain is moving to Kuwait SC instead and finding a holding player is still something that the 45-year-old has to do.
Sam Morsy of Ipswich Town during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Ipswich Town FC
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
However, at 34, Morsy is coming to the end of his career and there are much better options out there that will be of more use in the years to come.
Lewis Travis is also liked by Derby, and the Blackburn Rovers captain would be the perfect player to fill that position. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of time in the transfer window to find someone who can back Adams up perfectly.
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