DONE DEAL: Derby County Has Signed Norwich City Star For……….read more.
Derby County manager Paul Warne, aiming to bring in 12 new players after securing promotion in his second season, has bolstered his squad with four midfielders and three forwards over the summer.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is confident that Derby will swiftly adapt to their new level following a two-year absence from the Championship.
“We’ve had some good additions to the squad and we’re starting to gel,” Mendez-Laing told BBC Radio Derby after scoring twice in a 4-3 friendly loss to League One side Barnsley.
“The plan was to get Derby back to the Championship. I’m so happy to be here and I can’t wait to play in this league with this club and group of players.
“There are some quality players at the big clubs in the Championship. If you turn the ball over, you might get punished more.
“But we’ve got more than enough to be comfortable in the league.”
Now 32, Mendez-Laing says he is “very excited” to be back in the second tier for the first time since the 2020-21 season, having played in the division for Peterborough, Middlesbrough, and Cardiff City, including a Premier League spell with Cardiff in 2018-19.
“It’s been quite a while for me and I’ve been eager to get back there,” he said.
“I’ll play anywhere the gaffer wants me to play but I think we all know my most effective position is coming in from the wings.
“Pre-season has been tough, as it should be. You have to dig in to get fit. You build up that level of fatigue but it’s needed to be ready.”
Mendez-Laing’s first goal against Barnsley came after a Jerry Yates shot was saved, and the pair have formed a strong relationship during preparations for the upcoming campaign, which begins at Blackburn Rovers on 9 August.
Yates, who joined on a season-long loan from Swansea City after previously working with Warne at Rotherham, will initially be suspended because he was sent off on the final day of last season.
“Jerry’s a top lad and I get on really well with him off the pitch,” said Mendez-Laing. “We’re building up that connection. Hopefully, it’s a successful one.”
