This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Derby County manager Phillip Cocu is looking to freshen up his squad in the January transfer window as he looks to get his Rams side moving up the Championship table, with his side being linked with a move for Doncaster Rovers midfielder Ben Whiteman, according to Football Insider.
The Rams along with Blackburn Rovers and Barnsley are plotting late moves to sign the 23-year-old, who has been a regular for Darren Moore this season scoring five goals in 29 games this campaign and who has a contract at the Keepmoat Stadium until 2023.
So would Whiteman be a good signing for Derby and should his signing be a priority for the Rams?
We discuss.........
Kris Smith
“Derby are in a position where they need to be a bit more shrewd in their transfer dealings after the recent FA charge, so a lower-league deal could be their way forward this month.
“Ben Whiteman has been a key part of Doncaster’s side this season in midfield, playing 23 times and scoring five goals to help them to within four points of the play-offs.
“The Rams need a boost at the moment with some ageing and some very inexperienced players in their side not really hitting the heights that they did the season before, and Whiteman is showing he could be ready for a step up in division.
“I doubt he should be a priority signing this month but given that he is in League One, Derby won’t have to bend over backwards to get this over the line.”
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Ned Holmes
"I think the addition of Whiteman would be a good move for Derby but I'm not sure if it should be a priority.
"The central midfielder has been fantastic for Doncaster since making the shift from Sheffield United, making 125 appearances across two and a half seasons and contributing 16 goals and seven assists.
"This season has been no different and Whiteman has been a key man for Darren Moore's side, helping to control the middle of the park for Rovers.
"However, Rooney seems like he's going to play a deep-lying role, which adds to Cocu's midfield options.
"For me, the attacking third is what they need to address the most and, therefore, I don't see the signing Whiteman as a high priority."
Ben Lang
"Midfield is one of the areas where Derby already have plenty of options at present with the likes of Max Bird, Tom Huddlestone, Krystian Bielik and Duane Holmes competing for spots in the centre of the park.
"This means that the addition of Whiteman would be a peculiar signing given he would certainly find it difficult to slot straight into the side, while his presence in the squad could only serve to further block the pathway into the first team for some Derby's youth players.
"It is true that Whiteman has been delivering consistently impressive performances for Derby in recent times, while he would add some fresh competition to the midfield area at Pride Park, but I'm not convinced this is a move the Rams should be prioritising.
"Phillip Cocu must instead focus his attention on signing an exciting forward player this window, in addition to perhaps a defensive player, but I don't think midfield should be the main area of interest for now."