3/1 To Win
Midfielder Andy King has set his sights high after joining Derby County on loan until the end of the season from Premier League side Leicester City.
The 30-year-old has been with the Foxes since 2006 and has only enjoyed one brief loan spell away from the club.
That came last season as he joined Swansea City for the second half of their Premier League campaign.
King has been on the Rams' radar for some time and the Wales international is keen to hit the ground running.
“There was interest in the summer but for one reason or another it didn’t get done and again in January we’ve been trying to get it done - but I’m just delighted to be here now,” King told RamsTV.
“The main thing was to get it over the line but we’ve managed to do that now.
“With the promotion push Derby County have got going on, I want to help them get back in the Premier League as soon as possible. I think with the new manager and the squad of players they have here then we have a good chance.
“The lads have started the season well, they are in the mix and hopefully with a good second half of the season then hopefully it will be our year.”
Growing up in the Chelsea Academy before moving to Leicester, King watched his new manager closely during his playing days.
The loanee now has the chance to work even closer with Lampard.
“He was someone that I’ve watched a lot as a kid. I was at Chelsea until the age of 16 so when I was watching games, he was always there and playing so to come and work for him and learn from him was a big pull as well,” he said.
“I think they have done well considering the change of manager and style of play in the summer and sometimes it takes a season or two to get that right but the lads have adapted well and quickly.
“That is huge credit to them and the manager as well so with a little bit more consistency in the second half of the season then there is no reason why we can’t start climbing up the table.”
King unfortunately will not be available for tomorrow’s game against Preston North End, but is excited to get back into the hustle and bustle of the Sky Bet Championship.
“There is a lot of games, they come thick and fast but that’s what you want as a player,” he commented.
“You want to be playing football matches and not just train all the time. I’m here now and I can’t wait to get started.
“When you look at it over past seasons it has always come down to fine margins which is the difference between promotion and not. There is an experienced group here as well. They have been close before and I think with the group of lads here we can think it’s our year to try and do it.
“I know a lot of the lads already which is good and it should help me settle in pretty quickly. I spoke to a few of them before I came and they were saying what a great group of lads it is. It’s a good set up, good manager and I’m really pleased to be here.”
