Derby County have signed left back Callum Elder from Hull City on a free transfer. What can the 28 year old Australian bring to The Rams? We spoke To Hull and Back to find out!
Derby have signed Callum Elder. What do you make of it?
He's a great signing for any League One side. During our season in the third tier, he excelled. He was named in the League One team of the season, recorded 10 assists and was influential on our way to winning the title. That was his second promotion from League One after doing so with Wigan in 17/18. With two promotions on his CV, he’s certainly someone that knows how to get out of his level and given that’s Derby’s aim, I’m sure he’ll be pivotal in achieving that.
He’s played 31 games last season for Hull. Did Hull want to re-sign him?
Despite playing 31 times for us last season, we showed no at interest in re-signing him. He’s at an age where he’ll want to be playing regular football and that’s something we can’t offer him. With the emergence of Jacob Greaves in that role and the fact we’re targeting a new left back, he would have been frozen out so it was the right time for him to move on.
He joined the Tigers in 2019 and made more than 130 appearances. Would you consider his time at MKM Stadium a success?
If we’re being brutally honest, I wouldn’t consider his time at the club a success. His only standout season was our title winning one in 20/21. Since our promotion back to the Championship, he’s become a bit part player, someone who features when needed off the bench or when there are injuries to first-team players. This isn’t any criticism to Elder, he’s been dependable when called upon but for where we want to go as a club, he doesn’t have the ability to match our ambition.
What are his strengths?
Ability to defend in one vs one situations
Great at defending his back post and has solid positional sense
Good at driving out from defence with the ball
He’s proven to be one of the top performers at League One level and his third tier experience will come in very handy
He recorded a lot of his assists in our League One season from set piece situations - a big threat
What are is weaknesses?
Can be lacklustre in possession and can gift the ball to the opposition easily
His long range passing isn’t the greatest, likes to keep things simple
Going forward, his end product can often deceive him - does the hard part before putting in a poor final ball
Despite being good in one vs one situations, he isn’t the quickest so if he’s up against a pacey winger, he could struggle
He is a left back. What type of left back is he? Is he a first and foremost a defender? Or he he a modern attacking full back?
Elder is first and foremost - a defender. He will do the basics well and will always give 110%. I wouldn’t attribute him to being an attacking full back, despite his assist threat, but he does like to drive out of defence and get forward whenever possible
How is he playing in a back five?
Although he rarely played in a back five for us, I feel the wing back position could suit him well. He’s a solid defender and tackler, but with the added protection from the third centre back, he’d have license to get forward and be a force down that left side.
He has one cap for Australia. Is he still in the international set up?
Australia have strong competition in that area with Behich and Jordan Bos so Elder doesn’t really get a luck in. Given he’s dropped down a level, I doubt he’ll get his chance anytime soon as he didn’t impress enough in the Championship to warrant a call up.
Do you think Elder can be good player in League One for Derby?
Elder can be an excellent player for Derby. He excelled last time at League One level and under Paul Warne, I think he can replicate those level of performances and help Derby kick on next season.
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