Derby County have their first summer signing of the 2022/23 season. Fresh off the heals of the takeover, The Rams have signed free agent winger Tom Barkhuizen. What can the winger bring to Derby? We spoke with Olly at Deepdale Digest and George Hodgson Preston North End reporter at Lancs Live and Preston North End Live to find out!
Are you surprised that Barkhuizen would be looking to sign for a League One club?
Deepdale Digest: A little; I think many Championship clubs would have been very interested if Preston had let Barkhuizen leave a year ago. Last season just didn’t work out and a Championship club taking a punt on him felt like something realistic, but top end of League One is a great landing spot for him.
George: This could prove to be a really solid piece of business for Derby. Barkhuizen was a great signing for North End, from Morecambe back in 2017. If he can get himself back on track, League One will be a breeze for him. I think he will see Derby as a club where he can hopefully get promoted and then be a part of something really good in the Championship again. He's shown he can do it at that level and this may be the move he needs, to rediscover form and get back to his best.
He only played 13 times for Preston last season, why was that?
Deepdale Digest: Just setback after setback. Injuries were a repeated problem and the last time he played for North End was in January. That hasn’t really been a regular thing for Barkhuizen in his five-and-a-half years at Preston, so picking up these niggling blows in the final year of his contract was terrible timing.
George: Barkhuizen has asthma and had a horrible time with Coronavirus earlier in the season. It sounded dreadful and the forward took a while to return, with it a mental and physical challenge. He also had a couple of injury problems - in his ankle following a shocking tackle from Fulham's Antonee Robinson, before a calf issue was sustained at Swansea. Towards the end of the year, time never felt on his side as his contract ran down and down.
How did he perform last season?
Deepdale Digest: Committed as ever but we saw so little of him and the formation didn’t really suit him. Not naturally a wing back, not naturally a striker, Barkhuizen found himself played in both roles with limited success. A natural winger, Barkhuizen deserves a fresh start and a chance to play in his natural position. Last season aside, he played 199 times for the Lilywhites. How would you sum up his time at Deepdale? Barkhuzien has been a great success for Preston. Morecambe were in financial trouble back in 2016 and Preston swooped in, giving him a major jump from League Two to the Championship. Initially viewed as a cheap punt and competition out wide, Barkhuizen quickly made a huge impact in the Championship with his sheer pace causing mayhem. Barkhuizen has been a mainstay for years at Preston and was absolutely a gamble that paid off.
George: The 3-5-2 formation played by Frankie McAvoy and then Ryan Lowe never really suited Barkhuizen. He isn't a natural number nine while wing-back demands a lot physically. Barky did put in an outstanding performance at right wing-back, when PNE won at Bournemouth against all odds. He never really got a crack at it under Lowe.
Did Preston express any interest in re-signing him once is contract expired?
Deepdale Digest: There hasn’t been much officially said about that, but it seems that both player and club decided that the time was right for a parting of the ways. It was a shame that we didn’t really get to give Barkhuizen a goodbye, but most North End fans would wish him the best at Derby.
George: Earlier in the season talks appeared to be bubbling but the longer the campaign went on, it looked less and less likely Barkhuizen would stay. He probably needs a fresh challenge and new motivation. That said, before the 2021/22 season started you would've had Barkhuizen down as a big contract priority for PNE.
Would you call his time at Preston a success?
Deepdale Digest: Absolutely. Barkhuizen arrived at a time where Aiden McGeady and Callum Robinson were regulars in the side but managed to force his way in and made himself part of the furniture at Deepdale. A nominal fee was paid and Preston more than got their money’s worth out of him.
George: Undoubtedly. He arrived from Morecambe, stepped up to Championship level and was a key part of the team for several seasons. Often one of the first names on the team sheet.
What are his strengths? His weaknesses?
Deepdale Digest: Barkhuizen has great pace. If you allow him space on the counter-attack to knock it past a defender, he will be able to race onto it and leave the defender in his wake. I’d say Barkhuizen is a better finisher than a crosser, and one issue I’d perhaps point out is that he can be a bit of a confidence player. Sometimes you just really want him to use that natural ability up against full backs, but too often turned back when engaged 1v1.
George: If Derby can get him back to full fitness, Barkhuizen's speed is electric. He loves having green grass ahead of him and he's a threat in the final third. He's a grafter and someone who will put in big shifts for the team. One-versus-one, and when teams set up to sit deep, he isn't the strongest. And he is a confidence player, for sure.
He’s a winger, what type of winger is he? Is just a speed merchant? What other elements to his game are there?
George: Barkhuizen cuts inside from both sides really well. He makes that movement look easy and it allows him to drift into dangerous positions. He played on the right and left in a 4-3-3 side under Neil and was a big part of North End pushing for the Play-Offs. He'll track back for the good of the team all day long.
Derby struggled in front of goal last season. Is he someone who relies on service for goals or can he create chances on his own?
Deepdale Digest: This ultimately depends on where Derby see him playing. I would guess it’s out wide and I think you can get plenty out of him in terms of attacking the back post or threading through balls behind full backs. He’s not necessarily a creative player himself but the pace can cause so many problems that opportunities open up for teammates.
George: Barkhuizen should certainly chip in with his fair share in League One, if he plays the majority of the season. He had a knack of popping up for PNE with big goals and often scored in flurries. Barky won't just stand in the box and ask for chances to be put on plate, he'll be very busy on the pitch and look to utilise his pace - whether that's getting in behind or galloping past defenders.
Do you think Barkhuizen can be good player in League One for Derby?
Deepdale Digest: Definitely. Derby have obviously been through so much of late and being able to attract a player like Barkhuizen straight after the takeover is a testament to the size of the club. Barkhuizen should cause plenty of problems for League One defences and I truly believe that he can still be a Championship player - hopefully with Derby in 2023-24!
George: 100 per cent!