They paid far too much” – Pundit blames Derby County for €35m midfielder

“They paid far too much” – Pundit blames Derby County for €35m midfielder who is not good enough for top flight football

Derby County’s record-breaking summer signing has been branded a “waste of money” by a leading pundit, who insists the €35 million midfielder is not cut out for top-flight football.

The Rams made headlines when they splashed big on the highly-rated midfielder, hoping he would transform their midfield and help the club compete with the best. However, his start to life in England has been underwhelming, with critics pointing to a lack of consistency and failure to dominate matches.

Speaking on a popular football show, the pundit did not hold back:

“They paid far too much. €35m is outrageous for a midfielder who hasn’t shown the quality needed at this level. Derby needed a proven player to raise the standard, but instead, they’ve gambled and it already looks like a mistake. Waste of money, plain and simple.”

The scathing verdict has divided opinion. Some fans share the frustration, questioning why the club invested so heavily, while others argue the player deserves time to adapt to the pace and physicality of English football.

For Derby County’s hierarchy, the pressure is on. With results under scrutiny and the season heating up, the midfielder’s performances could decide whether this deal becomes a cornerstone of the club’s ambitions—or one of the most expensive flops in their history.