Why Middlesbrough will sanction Derby County transfer as Paul Warne chases Dan Barlaser reunion
Paul Warne has never been afraid to sign players he has managed before and he is currently chasing another reunion that would undeniably bolster Derby County's survival hopes.
The head coach remains keen on a deal for Dan Barlaser at Middlesbrough, a player who thrived under his tutelage at Rotherham before he ended up making a seven-figure switch to the Riverside.
The 28-year-old played his best football under Warne at the Millers and with Boro chasing promotion to the Premier League, they would be willing to sanction a deal to help bolster their own plans for the transfer window.
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Blackburn are rivalling Derby for his signature, but you suspect Boro would be happy to see him join Derby rather than John Eustace's Rovers who sit just below them in the table in the race for the top six.
But just what would Derby be getting for their money and why are Boro willing to sanction his exit? Here Derbyshire Live caught up with Middlesbrough writer Craig Johns from our sister site, Gazette Live, to get the lowdown.....
What kind of player would Derby be signing?
Barlaser’s a ball-playing midfielder. Often deep-lying but lacking in the aggression out of possession, when it’s going well for him, he’s the kind of player who is confident and composed in taking up possession anywhere and dictating the tempo. He can also unlock a defence with his passing range too.
Why are Boro willing to let him leave?
It would be one of those that just worked out for all parties, really. He’s never truly established himself as a regular at Boro in his two years at the club. With 18 months left on his contract and now down the pecking order, it’s good chance for Boro to trim the squad and wage bill, which in turn, might help them bring in Glen Kamara on loan.
In the games he has played this season, how has he performed?
He’s rarely poor or mistake-ridden but, in a Boro side that are expansive, he can be a bit passive and a little weak when it comes to bite in the midfield. He’ll generally sit deep and play simple passes in this Boro side. He certainly has the eye for a longer pass, though it’s largely discouraged by Michael Carrick.
He’s been steady without setting the world alight, with his run in the side coinciding with an injury to Aidan Morris - the USA international who joined in the summer and added immediate bite to Boro’s midfield. Though Barlaser rarely played really bad, he just didn’t quite fill Morris’s shoes.
Derby are seeking a creative midfield player, would Barlaser fit that bill?
He’s maybe not always had the opportunity to showcase it in this Boro setup, but Barlaser certainly has an eye for a defence-splitting pass. Crucially for Derby, the move would see him reunite with Paul Warne who knows Barlaser so well from their time together at Rotherham.
He had Barlaser playing at his very best and you’d expect he’ll be able to do so again at Derby County.
What are his strengths?
His ball-playing and passing range. Again, the desire to go over the top isn’t always one that’s encouraged at Boro, but he can pick a through ball and open up a defence. He’s generally just really calm and composed in possession. If there are midfielders around him to do the out-of-possession work, he will then thrive off that when back in possession.
What are his weaknesses?
The defensive side of his game is where he’s always struggled at Boro. Admittedly, Carrick’s style can often leave Boro vulnerable to the transition. But when Barlaser has played the game can often pass by him too easily, with his aggression in winning the ball back for his side not his strongest side.
Would it be a good move for Derby?
With the aforementioned Warne connection, expectations/standards perhaps not being so high at Derby, and Barlaser’s Championship experience for a side facing a real battle to stay in the division this season, it feels like a good move. A lot will likely depend on Derby’s style and setup and whether that can play more to Barlaser’s strengths than Boro do. Again, given Warne’s prior success with him, it feels a good possibility.
