Derby County manager Liam Rosenior has backed Lewis Dobbin to be ‘worth the wait’ after the Everton forward signed on-loan on Wednesday evening.
The Rams fought off a host of competition from League One and Championship rivals to secure a deal for the 19-year-old, following a breakthrough year in which the teenager made his Premier League debut and scored six goals in 18 Premier League 2 appearances.
And Derby boss Rosenior - speaking before Saturday’s game against Charlton Athletic where Dobbin could make his debut - explained the reasons for his excitement at having the Blues striker on board at Pride Park this season, adding his thanks that Frank Lampard and the club decided Derby were the right club.
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"I've been aware of Lewis for 18 months," Rosenior said. "He's someone who has stood out in academy football, someone who was fast-tracked through Everton's system and Everton is a huge football club.
"I actually remember while watching Chelsea-Everton live last season, he came on on his own up front against Thiago Silva at Stamford Bridge, and what I loved about him, he put himself about, he showed no respect.
"I know about his ability - I know about his pace, his speed - we've done our homework on Lewis. But what pleases me the most about having him in the building is he's another one that fits the culture. He works so hard for the team, and that's what I want.
"I'm obviously delighted that we beat off a lot of competition - again, not just in League One but in the Championship. There were queues of clubs looking to take him, and I'm thankful to Frank (Lampard) and everyone at Everton that they felt this was the right place for him to come."
Lampard spent one season in charge at Pride Park before taking the Chelsea job, during which he took the likes of Mason Mount on loan and developed young promise into Premier League talent. And new Rams interim boss Rosenior has stressed that Pride Park continues to be a desirable destination for loanees, adding that the Blues teenager was ‘worth the wait’.
“I know Frank really well just through my time in football and he's an outstanding guy,” Rosenior added. “I spoke to Chris Jones, who was here (at Derby as part of Lampard's backroom team), more in depth about Lewis, but we've all done our due diligence on him. Lewis is worth the wait and hopefully the other players in that future that will come through the door.”
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