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It’s not been the summer that Blackburn Rovers might have hoped for so far.
Both Andreas Weimann and Danny Batth, who has called John Eustace ‘outstanding’, departed the club on 1 July and joined Derby County to reunite themselves with their former head coach.
Lewis Travis has also been linked with a move to the Rams, while the East Midlands outfit have Callum Brittain on their radar.
It was perhaps foreseen that Blackburn were going to lose players to their ex-boss, but the speed at which the interest is coming is alarming. However, Valerien Ismael can use this to his advantage for one reason.
Derby County are trying their best to ruin Blackburn Rovers’ summer
Both Batth and Weimann joined Rovers last summer and they played key roles for the Lancashire side as they narrowly missed out on a play-off place.
The latter scored one of the Championship goals of the season against bitter rivals Burnley back in August, but injury saw his campaign early and the next time Blackburn fans will see him will be in November when Derby make the trip to Ewood Park.
Batth was a key player last season in BB2, playing 37 times in the Championship at the age of 34. His experience was crucial and he will be a huge loss in defence.
While nothing has come of the Rams’ Travis interest so far, if Blackburn do lose their captain then it will be painful and Ismael will have his work cut out to replace him.
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Valerien Ismael should not be worried about the deals that have happened
While the two players that they have already lost to Derby were regulars in the first team, both of them are coming to the ends of their careers and letting go of two ageing players should be seen as a positive.
Tyrhys Dolan has departed the club, but Dion de Neve could be the perfect replacement for the ex-Preston North End youth player. Blackburn need to make more signings, but they do have a solid foundation to build from.
The greatest issue that Ismael will face is the fractured relationship between those at the top of the club and supporters. He must be backed in the market to ensure that the lost players are replaced well – if they are, then the Frenchman has nothing to worry about despite Eustace’s transfer business.