Derby County could capitalise on Crystal Palace player news ahead of Championship return

After securing promotion to the Championship last month, Derby County’s celebrations will be coming to an end. All attention will be on the upcoming summer and, possibly, on a former player in James Tomkins.

On the last day of the League One season, the Rams proved to be a formidable opponent to Bolton Wanderers, defeating Carlisle United at home with ease, and securing the final automatic promotion slot.

However, the East Midlands club appears to be in for a hectic summer as they get ready to return to the second division. They will begin by addressing the matters of the players who have out-of-contract at the club and determining their immediate futures.

Twelve players, including Louie Sibley, Joe Wildsmith, and Conor Hourihane, are now scheduled to depart Derby when the regular League One season concludes. After securing a promotion, Paul Warne acknowledged that those discussions would probably already be well under way before making those judgments.

But the Rams will also want to strengthen heading back to the Championship, and could be reunited with a player who played seven games for them 16 years ago.

James Tomkins released by Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace declared on Friday afternoon that James Tomkins would be departing the team at the end of the current campaign.

After moving from West Ham United to Selhurst Park in 2016, the 35-year-old defender made 135 appearances for the Eagles in all competitions.

Playing in 30 league games, he helped Palace equal their highest-ever point total in a Premier League season during his most notable tenure with the team in 2018–19.

Tomkins has only made four appearances this season, and three of those came off the bench. Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, and Chris Richards are among the players ahead of him in the standings.

The decision has been made to break things off with the defender, who has spent eight years in SE25, with the possibility of him joining a different team as he nears the conclusion of his career. Oliver Glasner, the new head coach, will take over in this role.

Paul Warne could consider bringing James Tomkins to Pride Park

Tomkins, who played seven games for the Rams during a five-week loan period in 2008–09, may want to think about returning to Pride Park in the summer.

He was able to reach the West Ham first team under Gianfranco Zola during his tenure at the East Midlands side. He would go on to make 243 appearances for the Hammers before moving to Crystal Palace.

With 51 appearances in the second division and experience at the highest level, Tomkins might be a player Warne takes into consideration going into the upcoming season.

However, the 35-year-old’s pay could be a deal-breaker.Based on approximations from Capology, the defender’s current weekly salary is £50,000, which would undoubtedly put Derby beyond of their budget prior to the Championship season.

But there are benefits to having Tomkins join for the next campaign, which Warne will evaluate in the months to come.

Although the Rams had the youngest average age squad in League One the previous season, the transfer window’s goal was to reduce that number. However, the Rams’ ability to retain the ideal mix of youth and experience was what allowed them to advance.

Having captained both Palace and the Hammers during his career, Tomkins would bring a wealth of leadership qualities that the team might lack should some of the out-of-contract players decide to leave. Tomkins was a member of the West Ham team that earned promotion from the Championship to the Premier League in the 2011–12 season.

Given that the candidate is 35 years old and has experience in the division, it appears to be a low-risk transfer. The contract will probably be for one or two years.

Nevertheless, if the Rams pursue a possible trade for the former England U21 international, Tomkins might be able to add another Championship promotion to his resume prior to retiring.

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