3/1 To Win
Midfielder Kieran Dowell is looking forward to getting Derby County's 2019/20 season up and running - and believes he can learn a lot under manager Phillip Cocu too.
The 21-year-old joined the Rams on a season-long loan sdeal from Premier League side Everton last month following a successful second half of last season with Sheffield United.
Dowell earned plaudits for his performances with the Blades as he helped to guide them to promotion to the Premier League last season.
Now he has settled into the Derby dressing room, Dowell believes that the Rams are more than capable of emulating their success this season with the squad that they have.
“The lads have been great,” he told RamsTV. “I feel like I’ve been here months already. I think going to Florida as soon I could helped too for the training camp.
“Being in each others' pockets and being with them all the time was good and you get to know them. I really get on with the lads.”
Still at a young age, Dowell remains inn the development stage of his career.
He’s had two successful loan spells away from Goodison Park, with Nottingham Forest and the Blades and believes he can continue to learn under the tutelage of Cocu.
“I want to become a top player in the Premier League and he has the credentials to help me do that,” Dowell said.
“I think with the manager and his backroom staff, I’m going to improve a lot under them.”
What targets has the Everton-loanee set himself for the season?
“Personally, I want to get into double figures for both goals and assists,” he admitted.
“As a team, we want to get promotion. I think we’ve got the lads who can do it and we have the team spirit as well.”
The midfielder will be hoping for a positive start to his life with the Rams as the Sky Bet Championship campaign kicks off.
Now pre-season is over, the real action starts with a trip to Huddersfield Town on Monday evening (7:45pm kick-off).
“I’m buzzing for it,” Dowell commented. “That’s what you look forward to, the first proper game.
“It should be a great fixture.”
