Harry Wilson joined Mason Mount in an exciting double swoop for Derby County and new boss, Frank Lampard, whose status has undoubtedly brought a breath of fresh air to the club. The prospect of playing under Frank Lampard’s watch is one all too great for these young players to miss. Wilson, like Mount, joins the club on a year long loan deal.
Who are Mason Mount and Harry Wilson?
Mount is a central attacking midfielder renowned for his acceleration, dribbling and creativity. Just 19 years of age, Mount was one of the most sought-after loan signings for various Championship clubs. His talent hasn’t gone unrecognised throughout his young and flourishing career; he has featured in every stage of the England youth teams from Under-16s right through the Under-19s last year.
Wilson, like Mount, is a youth prospect from one of the big boys. Wilson joins the Rams from the Liverpool academy where he has played since 2005. The Welshman is still blossoming at the age of 21 but has been admired from a very early age.
He has represented his country at U-17, U-19 and U-21 levels before finally making the first team. This year, Wilson has made two appearances for Wales and celebrated with his first goal at senior level in a 4-0 victory over China. It isn’t, however, just his national side that are excited by his potential. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp handed the youngster a new contract this month after Wilson made his senior debut in the FA Cup as a substitute.
Where have they been?
On loan from Chelsea, Mount has enjoyed a successful spell abroad with Dutch side SBV Vitesse. Chelsea have built quite a rapport with the Dutch side in recent years: Lewis Baker, Izzy Brown and Dominic Solanke all took to Vitesse whilst among the Chelsea youth set up. Like many Chelsea prospects, Mount is yet to make a single appearance for the first team but is expected to make more than his fair share for the Rams. Mount was a regular for Vitesse and helped the club secure sixth place in the Eredivisie.
And as for Wilson? Well, besides making a senior debut for the Champions League finalists, Wilson is no stranger to a loan move. In fact, his move to Pride Park will be the third loan spell of his career. In 2015, Wilson arrived at Crewe Alexandra for whom he recorded seven appearances without netting once.
However, you may recognise the name from his most recent loan move last season. Wilson joined fellow Championship club, Hull City, in a much more successful loan spell. It took Wilson all of 13 matches to score an impressive seven goals for the Tigers which inevitably prompted some serious demand for his signature this season round.
Are they what Derby County need?
In a word: yes. Derby, since the untimely absence of Tom Ince, have missed a confident player who has the courage and skill to run at defences and take them on. Derby’s midfield lacked energy and flare. The return of Craig Bryson combined with the arrival of Mount might be the spark that reignites Derby’s central midfield.
Bryson was the last goal-scoring midfielder Derby had. Mount scored an admirable nine goals in just short of 30 appearances for Vitesse and an even more impressive return for England Under-19s with seven goals in 16 appearances.
With the departures of both Johnny Russell and Andreas Weimann last season, Derby lacked width in their squad. This, combined with Nick Blackman’s loan spell and Ikechi Anya picking up injuries and subsiding to the reserve team for much of the season, left Derby with very few options out wide.
Enter Mr. Harry Wilson who is a bright young prospect who thrives on cutting in from the wing. There was little to no competition for wingers last season at Derby. Now, the prospect of Tom Lawrence, Luke Thomas and Harry Wilson all on one side will give Frank Lampard the right kind of headaches as the season draws nearer and nearer.
