Lucas Piazon has emerged as a target for Norwich City in January (Getty Images)
According to Yahoo Sports, Derby County are interested in signing Chelsea winger Lucas Piazon. The 24-year-old former Brazil U23 international spent the last two seasons on loan at Fulham. His five goals in 29 appearances helped Fulham to the Championship play-offs in 2016/17.
Last season, Piazon netted five times in 22 Championship appearances as Fulham won promotion through the playoffs. He played his last game for the Cottagers in the play-off semi-final first leg against Derby at Wembley. The Rams narrowly won that match, edging out a 1-0 win.
After failing to secure a loan move in the summer, Piazon is back at Chelsea this season. The Brazilian is yet to feature in Maurizio Sarri’s first-team, making just two Premier League 2 appearances for the Blues.
Since his move from Sao Paulo in January 2012, Piazon has made only three appearances for the Stamford Bridge side. His two starts came in the League Cup against Wolves and Manchester United. He made his league debut as a substitute in the 8-0 Premier League annihilation of Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
All three appearances of Piazon’s appearances for Chelsea came way back in 2012. With his contract up at the end of the season and no game time so far, a winter window move would benefit all the parties involved.
Piazon has been loaned out for the last five years. He has had loans spells at Malaga in the Spanish LaLiga, Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands Eredivisie, Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga and Reading and Fulham in the English Championship.
Derby County, managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, currently have Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori on season-long loans from Chelsea. With injuries taking a toll on Lampard’s squad, Derby must aim to get the deal done in January. Piazon needs game time to continue his development as a player heading into his prime.
Predominantly a left winger, Piazon can also operate either as an attacking midfielder or on the right flank. Piazon can hold onto the ball and is excellent with his passing. His defensive contribution is great and the 24-year-old can dribble past defenders, making short passes and layoffs.
His Championship experience would make him an asset for Derby County. Piazon has 13 goals and 10 assists from 74 Championship games. He played a role in helping Fulham’s promotion to the Premier League last season.
So far, Derby County have been solid under Frank Lampard and are still within touch of leaders Norwich City. However, the Pride Park Stadium side needs to do more if they are to earn promotion to the top-flight. To achieve that, they should add squad depth and a goalscoring midfielder with previous Championship experience.
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Piazon could be that man for Derby. He can handle the mental and physical pressure that comes with a promotion challenge, having already experienced this with Fulham. In return, he’d have the chance to play under one of the greatest English midfielders from the golden generation. That said, there’ll be fewer places for the Brazilian to develop better than Pride Park.
