Over the past 15 months, Derby County’s centre-back duo—Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin—has established itself as one of the EFL’s most formidable defensive tandems. The Rams have had a respectable start to the season; after 15 games, they are in 12th position in the Championship, and their defensive prowess has made them a strong candidate to finish in the middle of the table.
Since the summer, Paul Warne has had to make a tough decision, though, as Nat Phillips from Liverpool has joined the team on loan for the 2024–2025 season.
The former Rotherham United manager has had to figure out how to keep the 27-year-old, who has experience in both the Premier League and the Championship, available to play whenever needed.
Although Phillips has not had many minutes thus far, when he has played, he has seemed capable and has outperformed his Derby teammates and the rest of the division in one particular aspect of his game.
In terms of blocks per 90, Phillips is in the top. Since moving to the East Midlands, the loanee has had to wait for his turn in the starting lineup, but he has already made three starts for the Rams, including two in the final two games before the international break.
