Report: Derby set to land Chelsea youngster Tariq Uwakwe

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Derby County are set to sign highly-rated Chelsea youngster Tariq Uwakwe on loan for the rest of the season, according to The Sun.

The 20-year-old is set to be loaned out to Frank Lampard’s former club, with the Blues keen to get him ready for first-team football in the future.

A central midfielder, Uwakwe signed a new three-year contract last summer and is widely regarded as a future star.

Derby are languishing in 17th place in the Championship, although remarkably they are only eight points off a play-off place.

The Rams had a fruitful relationship with Chelsea last season when Lampard was at the helm. He took Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori on loan and reached the play-off final back in May.

Uwakwe has played in six games for the club’s under-23 team this season, with the Blues currently top of Premier League 2.

An England under-20 international, the report claims that Chelsea assistant manager Jody Morris is a big fan of Uwakwe.

Derby have recently added Wayne Rooney to their ranks and will seek more quality during January for a push towards the top-six.

TBR View – Uwakwe will need to hit the ground running to revive Derby

The talented youngster is a versatile midfielder. He can play behind the striker, as a box-to-box midfielder and is also at ease protecting the back four.

As a result, he will be an ideal player for boss Phillip Cocu to welcome into his ranks.

The Rams needed a lift and they recently received one when Rooney arrived.

It will take more than that for Derby to come good though and Uwakwe might just be the man to lead them up the table.

Having never played men’s football there is an element of risk but on the face of things, this does seem like a decent move.