Derby County's failed summer pursuit of winger Oliver Antman appears a fortunate escape as the player continues to struggle at his new club. The 25-year-old Finnish international has made 11 appearances for RSC Anderlecht without a goal or an assist since his £4.5m move from Rangers.
Derby had identified Antman as a key target to address a clear need for width during a challenging transfer window. The club endured a frustrating wait for deals amid wider investment issues, leaving them scrambling for a winger as the deadline approached. Instead of moving to Pride Park, Antman headed to Belgium in a deal that saw Rangers turn a profit on the £3.5m they paid Go Ahead Eagles for him a year earlier.
Antman's slow start in Belgium
His impact in Brussels has been minimal. Of his 11 outings, only three have been starts in the Belgian Pro League, and he has been unused from the beginning in Anderlecht's UEFA Europa League qualifiers and group stage matches. This barren run extends a modest record from his time at Ibrox, where he managed one goal and five assists in 28 appearances. The lack of immediate contribution validates Derby's decision to pivot to other targets when a deal could not be struck. Derby's own attacking metrics, which can be explored in the club's detailed stats, show the need for consistent contributions from wide areas.
Deadline day alternative Fuseini
Derby's solution arrived on transfer deadline day with the signing of Mohammed Fuseini. The forward made an instant impact, scoring a 93rd-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Burnley just before the international break. That late intervention secured a valuable point for a side that currently sits 22nd in the Championship standings with just five points from eight games. The team's primary objective is to climb away from the relegation zone, a task that will require improving on their current average of 0.63 points per game and finding a way to convert more of their chances.
With the focus now on finding form after the break, the failed Antman pursuit highlights the ongoing search for consistent threat from wide areas. The club's recruitment team will be monitoring his progress with a sense of vindication. Attention now turns to the immediate future, with Derby's next challenge being a home fixture against Preston North End. A positive result is key as the team looks to build momentum and move up the table. Fans can check the full schedule on the fixtures page to see the upcoming run of games that will define this period of the season.
Background and full detail: The72
