The Derby County Herald
Market30 May 2033
Antonino De Marco hands in a written request
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Derby County can pretend not to have heard.
Squad30 May 2033
Words exchanged at Derby County
Antonino De Marco and a teammate said things this week that will take longer than a week to unsay. It was not about football, and both of them play on Saturday.
Squad30 May 2033
Chizzy Ezenwata falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
The dugout30 May 2033
Sonny Aljofree gets it from the manager
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Market30 May 2033
Chizzy Ezenwata placed on the list
Derby County have made Chizzy Ezenwata available for transfer. A career at this club is over in all but paperwork.
The dugout30 May 2033
Chizzy Ezenwata asks for a word with the manager
“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.
Market30 May 2033
The Oliver Wilkinson story refuses to die
It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Oliver Wilkinson signs something — a contract at Derby County or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.
Squad30 May 2033
A wage question at Derby County
Eric Topór has done the arithmetic and does not like the answer. Nothing corrodes a squad faster, and no club has ever solved it by explaining the wage structure to a footballer.
Squad30 May 2033
Théodore Marty: “I am not a substitute”
“I have done everything asked of me in training and it has not changed a thing on a Saturday.” The most familiar complaint in football, and one Derby County will have to answer with minutes or with a transfer.
In brief
- Match A season winding down at Derby County
- The dugout The manager comes out for Thomas Pearson