Latest news with #DerbyCounty
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Rams bid farewell to a 'crucial cog'
The departure of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to MK Dons this week isn't necessarily news that comes as a shock to Rams fans, particularly with former Derby boss Paul Warne now at the helm, but it remains a hard goodbye racked up over 140 appearances in black and white, scoring 21 goals, and was a crucial cog in Derby's promotion from League One to the Championship, and again in the fight for Championship survival at the back end of the most notable moments in a Derby shirt came against Cambridge United away in April 2024, Portsmouth at Pride Park in December 2024, and, of course, against West Brom at The Hawthorns in April where Mendez-Laing wrapped up a vital three points in Derby's relegation is no denying Mendez-Laing has more than done his job for the club, with the Rams likely to not be where they are now without him. The Guatemalan departs with a lot of great memories, and a huge amount of respect from Rams fans who wish him nothing but the best in the forward, I imagine we will have to say a few more tough goodbyes as John Eustace begins a rebuild of his playing staff. However, with outgoings there will always be incomings too, and I'm excited to see what sort of targets Eustace is able to secure himself over the next few weeks and months as he kicks off a new era of Derby County.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Washington wants to give O'Neill 'something to think about'
Striker Conor Washington says he wants to give Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill "something to think about" as he looks to return to 32-year-old is a free agent and looking for a new club after an injury-hit spell at Derby after his last international cap against Denmark in November 2023, Washington was sidelined for four months after he injured his ankle in a "freak accident"."Would I like to be involved? Of course I would," Washington said about a Northern Ireland return. "The plan is to get myself a club, get myself back playing and give Michael something to think about." With his run of injuries and falling down the pecking order at Derby County, Washington admits he "hasn't done enough on the radar" for a Northern Ireland recall."I'm not naive about that, so I've got no doubt that if I get myself fit and playing at a decent level then the door would remain open, I hope. "I'm sure people will be ringing Michael to get references over the next few months so hopefully I can get back in his thinking. "I feel like I'm in a good spot, I feel good physically, I've trained for a few months and have played Under-21s games so I can kick on for one more campaign if the chance arises." Bradley looks 'unplayable' While Washington is one of the senior players at the disposal of O'Neill, Northern Ireland's squad has shifted towards a focus on youth after several players broke into senior Bradley is perhaps the most high profile of those players after helping Liverpool win the Premier League. Washington has been impressed by the young players, and says Bradley has "everything you want" and "fantastic to watch"."He'd been thrust into the limelight with Northern Ireland so it probably gave him the chance to assess his game, get stronger, quicker. He looks unplayable at times."He came in as a scrawny 16, 17-year-old and to see him now on the biggest stages, not just getting by but affecting games, getting assists, putting Mbappe in his pocket. "It's an enjoyable experience as you get older to see players like that flourish."
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
I feared my career was over but now I'm determined to shine for Northern Ireland, declares Conor Washington
Washington is pursuing his passion for coaching at the Irish FA's coach education course in Belfast but his playing future remains uncertain after leaving Championship club Derby County at the end of his contract. The 33-year-old failed to feature in the League for the Rams last season and has not played for his country since 2023 when he was a second-half substitute in a 2-0 win over Denmark. Washington made his Northern Ireland debut in 2016, earning 43 caps. He would love to hit the 50 mark but knows only a revitalised club career will force open the international door again. 'It has been hugely frustrating,' he admitted. 'There's been times where I've thought, am I at the end of my career? Should I go straight into coaching? 'I stepped off the bus at the hotel, ruptured three of my ligaments on the outside of my ankle. And then I went for my coaching badges and tripped over the ball and just had a bit of a problem with the nerve on the outside of my calf. It was crazy stuff. 'I wasn't involved against Blackburn on the first day of the season. And then I had gastritis. I don't know if anyone's had gastritis here, but I felt like I was having a heart attack. Then I'm out of the squad as the season goes on. 'I've been training and feel in a good place. I look back and there were so many caps I missed, just from injuries at the wrong time. I missed so many of them. I'd love to get to 50. 'I still feel really good, and I still feel like I can go and play for two or three more years. Obviously, I've got to get myself to a playing level that Michael's (O'Neill) got to at least have a look. I obviously had a really good relationship with Michael. He knew what he was getting. 'Never say never. And I'm looking forward to the challenge because, listen, that is in my mind. It has been in my mind over the last 12 months that I miss playing international football.' Washington joined Derby in July 2023, playing 22 games and scoring three goals as County secured promotion from League One last term. However, he has played no part in the club's escape from relegation this season. 'Some days I wake up and I'm in an absolute panic that I haven't got a club and I don't know where I'm going to be and I don't know if anyone's going to want to take me,' he added. 'And then other days, I think, it's not even June, like calm your jets and just chill out and enjoy the break. 'I think the hunger's there probably more than it ever has been just because I've sort of been denied playing football for 12 months. So I think it's always the way once you get past 30, you're keenly aware that, listen, it's not going to go on forever. 'So I want to make it go on for as long as I can because of how much I enjoy playing the game again. There's been periods in my career where I've not particularly enjoyed football. The pressure's been high. 'I've not been playing. I've been in and out. But then, like I say, it's not until you realise that it doesn't go on forever and how privileged you actually are that the last two or three years I've started to really enjoy the actual game of football. 'I still want to keep playing for the next couple of years, or the next four or five years if I can be like Steven Davis, Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley. 'As much as I love the coaching, my focus is very much still on playing.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The 'best kid on the playground' departs
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was a key part of Derby County's return from administration. His nine goals and 16 assists in League One as the Rams returned to the Championship were not only his best return in a single campaign but the difference in getting Derby over the line in second. He leaves Pride Park with his head held high, to join his former head coach Paul Warne at MK Dons. The pair had a strong relationship during their time working together with Warne making the 33-year-old his captain and the key piece in his side, often describing him as "the best kid on the playground" when describing his ability throughout their promotion together. As John Eustace looks to mould his squad moving forward, this seems to be a clever bit of business from the club as they make room in the wage department to further strengthen. Mendez-Laing only started three matches following the arrival of Eustace whilst dealing with an injury as well. It may not have worked for him in the Championship, but Mendez-Laing more than played his part in a Derby shirt and I'm sure will be remembered fondly.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
MK Dons sign Derby winger Mendez-Laing
MK Dons have signed winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing from Derby County on a permanent 33-year-old will reunite with his former Rams boss Paul Warne at Stadium MK after three seasons with arrived at Pride Park from Sheffield Wednesday in July 2022 and helped the Rams win promotion to the Championship two seasons Guatemala international played 41 times this term as Derby, under John Eustace for the last 14 games of the season following Warne's sacking, and helped the club avoid relegation back to League One with a final-day draw against Stoke length of Mendez-Laing's deal has not been disclosed. Warne, 51, was named as Scott Lindsey's replacement as head coach in was unbeaten in his four games at the end of the season as the club finished 19th in League Two, 10 points above the relegation zone."I'm buzzing, happy to finally get this deal done It's a project that I'm really excited about, and I can't wait to get going," Mendez-Laing said., external"I've always kept in touch with the gaffer, he's someone I highly respect. "When the conversation happened, there was instant interest from my side. He's a great and honest man."Mendez-Laing made 145 appearances during his time with Derby and scored 21 goals.
