Sheffield Wednesday legend and EFL pundit Carlton Palmer has tipped Derby County and Blackburn Rovers to land Malcolm Ebiowei on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Having come through the Rams’ academy system, Ebiowei made his debut for the club back in February 2022 when Wayne Rooney was in charge at Pride Park and quickly became one of the first names on the teamsheet.
The young winger went on to make 16 appearances for Derby, scoring once and recording two assists, as Rooney’s side were relegated from the Championship down to League One, and subsequently signed for Premier League outfit Crystal Palace at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Nevertheless, there was controversy surrounding Ebiowei’s switch to Selhurst Park on a five-year deal. The then-teenager made the move for free, following the expiration of his contract, with Derby County in a very difficult financial position at the time.
Sit back, relax and enjoy Malcolm Ebiowei against Brighton 🍿#CPFC | @malcolmebiowei pic.twitter.com/GxuG2fc4Xa
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 9, 2022
The Eagles offered to pay the third-tier club merely £30,000 in compensation, which was reportedly well below Derby’s expectations and the transfer was eventually sent to a tribunal. Having left for nothing, Ebiowei is now worth £2.5 million, as per Transfermarkt.
The Rams will now feel even more aggrieved since Ebiowei has featured very little for the London club in his eighteen months, making just five appearances in all competitions for Palace whilst also being sent out on loan to Hull City last season.
It is now being reported by Football Insider that Palace are keen to send Ebiowei back out on loan for the rest of the season to get some minutes under his belt, with several teams in the Football League said to be pursuing his services.
Speaking in a recent interview with Football League World, EFL pundit Carlton Palmer has claimed that the 20-year-old should move back on loan to Pride Park or, alternatively, Blackburn Rovers.
“Ebiowei has had previous spells in the Championship before with Derby County and whilst on loan at Hull City.
“Blackburn would be an ideal fit. I could see Paul Warne and Derby being interested, but I think both Crystal Palace and the player would be keen for him to ply his trade in the Championship.”
Writer’s View
Given how good he was in his brief stint with the club, Ebiowei could do even better this time around and his quality would likely be welcomed with open arms by Derby County supporters. However, it’s unclear how the tricky winger would suit Paul Warne’s tactics.
Under Rooney, Ebiowei often played in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 off the right or the left, but Warne deploys wingbacks, utilising Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on the right-hand side. Given he may not directly suit Derby’s team, perhaps a loan to a Championship side would be in Palace’s and the player’s best interests.
