Meister, Choudhury and more? Transfer talk dominates Swansea build-up
- Jack Bryan
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Across the football world, deals are being sealed with handshakes, arms are extended to beckon new players in. The crescendo of silly season is upon us. While fans and the media revel in it, clubs are desperately trying to ensure that they do not get their fingers trapped when the window slams shut next week.
Having spent the back end of last season talking about a desire to get deals done early Eustace still wants three or four players through the door. Indeed, the more The Rams’ boss has his patience tested by the slow pace of business, the more he has to plead for it from fans.
It is hardly the ideal backdrop for his injury-hit squad’s first double-game-week of the competitive season. After Swansea at home on Saturday lunchtime, they face Portsmouth on Tuesday night. The game should finish with 90 minutes or so left of the window, but realistically, most deals will be done by the end of Monday.
Asked on Thursday about how he is preparing his side amid a packed schedule, Eustace was focused on the task at hand. He said: “We've picked one point out in the two games, there's lots of things going on behind the scenes. We have to get the team ready, prepared; the attitude of the boys has been fantastic. We just have to be adaptable and try and figure out and get the right formation and personnel in that team that are going to get a result.”
But transfers were never far away from the conversation. Asked about Swansea, the Derby head coach was keen to highlight their business. He said: “I think Swansea are a real top team. They've been together a long time, they've coached very well, they've invested heavily in certain areas as well.
“They're certainly going to be a team that are going to be up there in the top 10 for sure and we know it's going to be a really difficult game with and without the ball.”
Notably, Eustace did not rule out an arrival ahead of kick off against The Swans. And he confirmed Derby’s interest in Pisa’s Danish striker Henrik Meister, who was “flagged up” using “data and analytics”.
He explained: “I think the club have really highlighted two or three players. I think he's one of them for sure. It's important that we get the right characters and the right people in. “If that player is to come in, brilliant. He's obviously a player on the radar but as three or four of us are, I don't really want to comment too much on him because he's not our player.”
The 46-year-old was coy when commenting on reports linking his side with a move for Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury, who can play in midfield and as a right back. He said: “Possibly, we'll have to wait and see on that.”
But he did admit that the 28-year-old Bangladesh international would bring some much-desired Championship experience.
At the other end of the scale, Derby’s young prospects are “doing great”. Decisions on which of them get loan moves will be made “over the next couple of days”.
While German Filip Bilbija, 26, needs time to adapt too. He “has to get used to that physicality” in the second tier according to Eustace. But “he's looking great so hopefully we can give him some minutes on Saturday.”
Connections
The Rams count three former Swans among their playing ranks.
Ryan Hedges came through their academy, without making a senior appearance. While Josh Vickers spent two years in South Wales and also did not feature for the first team.
Rhian Brewster's spell in South Wales was much more fruitful. Part of the side which reached the play-off semi-finals in 2019-20, he netted 11 times in 22 games while on loan from Liverpool.
Swansea
Since suffering a 2-1 home defeat to The Rams in his first game in charge of Swansea, Vitor Matos has turned the Welsh outfit into a high-pressing, possession-based side.
Pre-season was of course a crucial time to implement his ideals. Having come into somewhat of a firefighting mission, the 38-year-old was looking for results first and foremost as he steered the side from 17th to a second consecutive 11th place finish.
Much of their focus this summer has been on bolstering attacking options to support last season’s Championship golden boot winner Zan Vipotnik. Scottish striker Ross Stewart has arrived on a free after leaving Southampton.
Out wide, Moussa Kounfolo Yeo, Joseph Opoku and Tiago Parente have arrived, as has New Zealand international attacker Elijah Just following a strong season for Motherwell.
And there could be a debut for Canada vice-captain Stephen Eustáquio after the midfielder arrived from Porto on Thursday.
Swansea have had a mixed start to the season, losing at home to Birmingham in the Carabao Cup, before winning 2-1 at Stoke and being held to a 0-0 home draw against Sheffield United last weekend.
The Rams, meanwhile, will hope to pick up their first win of the season on Saturday.
Nigel spoke to Luke from Swans Cast to preview the game.
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