This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Middlesbrough look to be on the verge of beating Derby County to the transfer of Callum Brittain.
According to Pete O’Rourke, Rob Edwards’ team is close to agreeing on a £3.5 million deal with Rovers for the 27-year-old right-back, which would disappoint Derby fans. Brittain was one of many players who flourished under current Rams manager John Eustace, who left Ewood Park for Derby in February despite Blackburn’s position in the top six.
Derby have already signed three former Blackburn players, with Danny Batth, Andy Weimann, and loanee Owen Beck joining Pride Park this summer to reunite with their old manager. However, it doesn’t appear that Brittain will follow suit. Shaun Woodward, FLW’s Derby fan commentator, is disappointed that his team was unable to get the services of a solid Championship-standard full-back in Brittain, but believes the price tag placed on him was “a bit steep” in the first place.
Derby County fan pundit reacts to Callum Brittain, Middlesbrough transfer advances
“As I’ve said before, I really wanted us to get Callum Brittain,” Woodward told Football League World. “He’d have completed our backline, and he’s the type of player we were looking for: solid at this level, experienced, has played a lot of games, and is still relatively young.
Callum Brittain’s appearances per EFL division, per Transfermarkt
Division
Appearances
Championship
180
League One
70
League Two
32
“He and Beck would have completed our backline.” Last season, Brittain was one of the Championship’s most innovative full-backs. The 27-year-old’s five assists put him in the top 5% of the division’s right-backs, and he generated 45 chances while completing 34 successful crosses, according to Fotmob. “It’s a shame we’re going to miss out on him,” Woodward added. “However, saying that, £3.5 million is probably a bit steep, and I think there are probably others out there who are either cheaper or available on loan who we can get.”
Eustace were able to welcome back Joe Ward and Ryan Nyambe to the team for their midweek pre-season friendly against Solihull Moors, bolstering their right-side depth. “It was good to see Ward and Nyambe back,” she said. “We are starting to get a few guys back who will offer us options at right back or right wingback. Neither is as good or versatile as Brittain, but both can fill a role, Nyambe more defensively and Ward more as a wing-back.
“It’s a shame to lose out to Middlesbrough for Brittain, but £3.5 million does seem a little pricey. “There’ll be others out there who we can be looking at to come in and give some competition on the right side, as it is a position we do need to strengthen, given the injuries we have.”
Derby County need a new right-back, will be frustrated to miss out on Callum Brittain
Given Kane Wilson’s injury problems throughout the 2024/25 season, competition for the right-back position will have been a key part of Eustace and Derby’s transfer plans this summer, but it appears that one of their top targets has slipped past them. The Rams would have brought in Brittain, who, while not the finest defensive player in the league, is a competent operator moving forward. And, with Derby hoping to build on their 48 goals from their debut season back in the Championship last season, the 27-year-old would have been a perfect addition.
Not to mention that Brittain would have arrived already familiar with the manager’s views and techniques, making it easy for him to settle in. However, it appears that Derby will need to shift their focus elsewhere, and with a month remaining in the transfer market, signing a right-back before their season opening against Stoke City on August 9 would be ideal.
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