Carlton Palmer, a pundit, believes Blackburn Rovers winger Tyrhys Dolan could reunite with John Eustace at Derby County in the summer when his contract at Ewood Park expires.
Dolan joined Blackburn from Preston North End in the summer of 2020, although his contract is expiring soon.
Eustace, who just left Rovers to take over Derby, expressed interest in signing Dolan to a new contract in December, but no agreement has been struck with the 23-year-old.
After Eustace’s departure was confirmed, Dolan offered an emotional homage to his former boss on Instagram, saying that it was a “tough one to accept” and stating that working with him “was one of the main reasons I found the love for football again”.
Dolan expressed his appreciation for Eustace, noting that “everyone knows how much the gaffer meant to me.” With the winger expected to leave in the summer, some predict that he may rejoin with the 45-year-old at Pride Park.
| Tyrhys Dolan’s stats for Blackburn Rovers under John Eustace (as per Transfermarkt) | |
| Appearances | 50 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 6 |
Carlton Palmer issues Tyrhys Dolan, Derby County prediction
Palmer told Football League World that Dolan might join Derby in the summer when his contract at Blackburn expires. He also feels the move could still be viable if the Rams are demoted to League One.
“Tyrhys Dolan is out of contract at Blackburn, and this is an indictment of what has happened at the club that they have been unable to agree fresh terms with him,” Palmer disclosed.
“I don’t think he’ll sign; I’d be astonished if he signs a new contract with Blackburn.
“They’ve tried to tie him down, but they’ve been unable to do so.
“He admires John Eustace, but does he want to slip down a league?
“If we look at Jay Stansfield, he dropped down two leagues to join Birmingham, but he will return to the Championship next season, and that is sometimes a good thing to do.
“I could see him playing in Derby.
“I think Derby will fail under John Eustace, which is regrettable, but if they do, I believe they will recover on the first try.
“He will be available on a free transfer, and I believe Derby will be able to put together an enticing deal to get him to join the club.
“However, there will be plenty of takers for Dolan in the Championship, so it’s only a matter of whether he’s willing to drop down to League One for the season.
“Derby might work out an agreement with Dolan to keep him for one season and then release him if they don’t get promoted.
“He could go there and tear it up, just like he would in League One.”
“I never signed for football teams; I signed for managers, and he’s made it known how much he admires John Eustace, so it doesn’t surprise me.
“I don’t see him signing a new contract at Blackburn, but there will be a lot of Championship clubs interested in his services.”
Derby County’s Tyrhys Dolan hopes could depend on Championship survival
Dolan’s praise for Eustace since his departure suggests a possible reunion at Derby this summer.
Dolan is unlikely to accept a contract extension at Blackburn, although this could change now that Valerien Ismael has been chosen Eustace’s replacement at Ewood Park.
The Rams are currently in a relegation battle, and a drop to League One would undoubtedly jeopardise their chances of signing Dolan, who has demonstrated his ability at Championship level in recent years, but given the winger’s close relationship with Eustace, a summer move to Pride Park cannot be discounted.
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