3/1 To Win
Scott Malone has told RamsTV that he wants to rediscover the form that earned him a move to the Premier League under Frank Lampard after becoming Derby County’s eighth signing of the summer.
The 27-year-old joins the Rams from top-flight side Huddersfield Town on a three-year contract and follows Mason Mount, Harry Wilson, Florian Jozefzoon, George Evans, Jack Marriott, Fikayo Tomori and Martyn Waghorn in moving to Pride Park Stadium.
The deal concluded a busy day for the left back, who says after speaking with Lampard, the Derby boss, he knew exactly that playing under him was the best move for his career.
“Between 9am and 9:30am, I found out that the move was starting to progress so at that point I headed to Huddersfield’s training ground, got my boots and things and drove straight here,” he explained in an exclusive interview with RamsTV.
“It all happened very quickly over the course of half a day.
“There was interest from a few other clubs as well, but the moment that Frank said to me that he wanted me to come in, I just wanted to do it.
“He’s been one of the best English players that we have ever had. He obviously had a great career, played under some big managers and from my perspective, you start to wonder whether he will take that into his own management career.
“He’s someone that has won a lot throughout his career – he’s a real winner – and hopefully he can bring that here.”
What’s clear from watching Lampard’s Derby team in its infancy is that he is expecting his players to be full of energy, to press high up the pitch, be on the front foot, play football on the ground and get numbers in attack.
Malone says he is fully aware of what the Rams boss is demanding and feels his style of play will suit that style perfectly.
“He’s made me aware of that,” he added. “That’s why he’s brought me in. I played the same way at Fulham and at Huddersfield; it was very much about high pressing and being on the front foot and that’s what Frank wants as well. I’m looking forward to showing him what I can do.
“I’m very much a left-sided player. I can play full back and on the wing, but I have very much been at left back over the last five or six years.
“I’m quick and like to get forward – when I was at Fulham I scored six goals and had a few more assists too. That was a good season for me and I want to get back to playing the way I did at Fulham.”
Malone could now make his Derby debut in Saturday’s late Sky Bet Championship match against Leeds United at Pride Park Stadium, kick-off: 5:30pm.
Like the Rams, Leeds have a new manager in Marcelo Bielsa, a host of new players and opened their campaign with three points – the Whites’ coming from a 3-1 victory over title-favourites Stoke City.
Looking ahead, Malone is predicting an ‘interesting’ meeting with Leeds.
“Leeds come here off the back of a 3-1 win against arguably everyone’s favourites for the league title in Stoke City,” he said.
“They have an experienced manager – someone who Pep Guardiola regards as one of the best and that speaks for itself.
“The game’s interesting because they have an experienced manager, we have a new one and both teams have made signings. It’s going to be interesting.”
