Derby County Start Planning For Life Without Chelsea-Owned Nigerian Defender

Published: February 26, 2019

Championship outfit Derby County are planning to revive their interest in Everton defender Matthew Pennington in the summer transfer window.

According to Liverpool Echo, The Rams are in the market for a center back as Chelsea-owned defender Fikayo Tomori is set to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the 2018-19 campaign and have targeted Pennington, who is spending the entirety of this season on loan at Ipswich Town.

Tomori has been very brilliant in central defense for Frank Lampard's side, playing 39 games across all competitions, including Monday's 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

FIFA have hit Chelsea with a two-window transfer ban, meaning that they can't sign players until the summer of 2020 and Tomori could benefit from the situation as he could get first-team opportunities next term.

The England U21 star, who previously enjoyed loan spells at Brighton & Hove and Hull City, has appeared only once for Chelsea's first team.

His contract with Chelsea will run out at the end of the 2020-2021 season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : dcfc.co.uk