Gary Rowett has expressed his delight at being able to secure the signature of Tom Huddlestone – and he’s convinced he will bring an element of control to the Derby County midfield.
The 30-year-old midfielder re-joined Derby from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Hull City on Saturday evening for an undisclosed fee.
A graduate of the club’s Academy, Huddlestone made his name with the Rams as a 16-year-old after breaking on to the first team scene in 2003.
He enjoyed two seasons with the Rams before moving on to Tottenham Hotspur and establishing himself as a Premier League regular and an England international.
Rowett feels that Huddlestone will bring an option that Derby don’t already have in the middle of the park.
In addition to his obviously qualities, the Rams boss feels it will also allow ‘a bit more time’ for fellow midfielder George Thorne to prepare for his comeback after more than a year out of action.
He told RamsTV: “I think the obvious thing is that we’ve lacked, at times, control in that position.
“Most of our other midfielders are naturally ones that want to get forward and into the final third.
“I think, particularly last season having watched the games, when George Thorne wasn’t available for example, the team didn’t have as much control of the ball in front of the back four.
“I think first and foremost, this signing allows us to take a bit more time with George and not feel the pressure of having to get him fit for the first game of the season. That would be dangerous at the moment with the injuries he’s had.
“Tom has had a great career when you look from afar; he’s played in the Premier League and for England. He’s also played in the Champions League and is a phenomenal technician on the ball.
“I think his range of passing is as good as anyone’s in the country and that includes the Premier League. I think he gives us a different option to our midfield.”
He added: “I am excited about what he can bring to us and the squad. He can be a presence in front of the back four and one that George gives us as well.
“Particularly at Derby County and how we want to go down a different route in terms of playing with a bit more tempo and being slightly more dynamic in the way that we try to create chances, sometimes you need that control.
“Tom will give us some real control on the ball; in terms of his range of passing, keeping the ball and bringing others higher up the pitch into the game. When he has the ball at his feet, you know if you make a run in behind there’s a good chance the ball will land in your path.”
Rowett says he has been impressed with Huddlestone’s desire to return to Derby.
With options elsewhere, the player made it clear that a return to Pride Park was high on his agenda.
He feels that the player is coming back to Derby for the right reasons and is a player he is ‘really looking forward to working with.
“Tom knows how to get out of this league,” he said.
“He has good physicality and he is flexible too, he played at centre-back at the age of 17 here and can play the holding midfield role. He is a player I am really looking forward to working with.
“I think some of the parameters around it work really well too.
“He was offered more money (elsewhere), but he’s come to Derby – so there’s a want and a desire. I know I have said previously I didn’t want to sign Premier League players stepping down for a long, fat, contract.
“I don’t think the likes of Tom are doing that. He’s doing it because he wants to come to Derby and is excited about it, and improve even further. That’s the exciting bit for me, he has shown a real desire to come back.
“At one point it looked as if the deal was going to fall through and Hull tried to keep him. The challenge of coming back here and being part of what we’re trying to do, and fitting around how we want to move forward, is really important as well.”
