Derby County striker, Johnny Russell is set to leave the club for Major League Soccer after his contract with the Rams run out in the summer of 2018. When asked about his departure from the club, Derby County manager, Gary Rowett was quoted, “I think his wish is to pursue a chance to play in the MLS. He’s turned down those contract offers. We’ll have to look at that situation.”
Johnny Russell has been capped 4 times for the Scotland national team and has appeared 205 times for County over the past three and a half seasons. He has racked up 35 goals and 34 assists from the attacking third with the Championship and has appeared for the full 90 minutes in the last 4 league games.
Russell is a versatile presence who can appear from either side of the flanks as well as a shadow striker. He started his professional career with Scottish Championship side, Dundee United but developed his game away on loan to Forfar Athletic and Raith Rovers. He made the breakthrough to the senior team on his return from the loan spell after scoring in 3-2 win at Ibrox stadium.
He is still an integral of the Rams’ promotion chase to the Premier League. The club is currently in the second spot of the Championship table and is favoured to win an automatic promotion along with leaders Wolves.
The Wanderers have broken away with a 9-point gap and winning the trophy might no longer be in Rowett’s plans. They, however, were held to a 0-0 draw to promotion rivals Bristol City last weekend and are in danger of falling into the playoff battle with Cardiff City just 2 points behind them.
Russell’s decision to decline a contract extension is confusing for the fans at Pride Park. The player is clearly still in the manager’s plans and a future in top-flight English football looks illustrious. The reason for a rejection is uncertain and no reports have come out linking the player to an MLS outfit.
A switch to the United States might earn himself a lucrative deal but will it turn him into a better professional? The American game is fast paced and is often seen as the last resort for veteran professionals like David Villa, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Thierry Henry. With Sebastian Giovinco setting the league on fire after his switch from the Serie A, maybe Russell can carve out a top spot on one of the clubs.
