Rangers youngster George Edmundson has made a promising start to life on loan with Derby County and, if his current form continues, there seems no reason why he can’t challenge for a starting spot under Steven Gerrard with the Ibrox outfit next season.
The 23-year-old centre-back joined Wayne Rooney’s side on loan for the rest of the season in January and has gone on to make four appearances for the Rams, contributing one goal and averaging a solid 6.75 WhoScored average match rating.
Derby looked to be in serious danger of relegation earlier in the season but Rooney becoming permanent manager has helped steady the ship, whilst Edmundson has also had a big impact in the games in which he has appeared.
The former Oldham Athletic man has appeared in two wins against relegation rivals Huddersfield Town and Wycombe, although he did play 90 minutes in the 4-0 pasting by Cardiff City recently.
Should Edmundson play more next season?
Yes
No
However, it looks as if the young defender will be a big player for the Rams for the rest of the season, and the experience of playing regularly in the Championship should only be a good thing for the 23-year-old, who has made just 16 appearances for the Gers since signing in the summer of 2019.
Edmundson found himself behind the likes of Leon Balogun, Connor Goldson and Filip Helander in the pecking order at Rangers this season, whilst the arrival of Jack Simpson in the winter transfer window perhaps meant that it was always likely he would leave on loan.
However, if the centre-back can continue to impress with Derby and perform well in pre-season with Rangers ahead of next term, then perhaps he can force himself into the first team reckoning and challenge for a regular spot in Gerrard’s side.
His tackling average since joining Derby is 1.8 per game – a better return than any of the Light Blues’ centre-backs this season, while his three clearances per match at Pride Park is level with Connor Goldson, Rangers’ performance leader in this regard.
Edmundson’s former teammate at Oldham Lee Croft suggested ahead of his move to Rangers that the centre-back is a “big talent”, whilst he also tipped him to go on and play for England in the future.
Therefore, Gerrard should unleash him properly next season and give him regular opportunities in this Rangers side, as he could go on to become a top player with the Ibrox outfit.
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