New Players in Focus : Tendayi Darikwa

The latest signing, moving from Burnley for an undisclosed fee.

Tendayi Darikwa after signing for Forest

What do we know about Tendayi? A native of of Nottingham, the 25 year full back or winger  was once scouted by David Moyes for Manchester United , though that is no longer a badge of honour in a way it might have been. He has seen chances limited at Burnley, and was initially linked as part of an Assombalonga bit by the Clarets. He started out with Chesterfield with loans at Barrow and Hinckley, before getting his big move to Burnley where he was part of the squad that got promoted back to the Premiership. At Burnley he was signed by our current Director of Football Frank McParland. He is eligible to play for Zimbabwe as well as England, but has yet to make an international appearances.

What do Burnley fans think to his departure?
Most are wishing him well. They would like him to do well and wish no malice. The following are a few comments from the Lancashire Telegraph comments section to his departure.

“Forest have made a good signing I think with Darikwa. Good luck to the guy. Hope we put a sell on clause in”

There was also

“Really don't get this and 1.75 seems low. But glad for the lad and hope he gets the deserved game time. Liked him but more as a wing back than out and out left back. Good luck to the lad though.”

And

“Pleased that Derek has got this move to his home town club. Quite liked him, but not as a full back in the Premier League. Thought he would have made a good wing back.”

And from Clarets Mad Forum

"I'm sorry to see him go in a way, I thought we had the ideal replacement for Trippier when he first arrived, but he seemed to quickly have the adventure and enthusiasm coached out of him, and inside six months he was but a pale shadow of the player we signed.

Good luck to him, I hope he does well at Forest, hopefully they'll let him play his game, I'm not sure we did."

The Managers View

I think due to the timing of his arrival and other rumoured transfers actual Warburton quotes about Darikwa are few and far between. Warburton has mentioned that he adds versatility and options down the right hand side, and that must have been an attractive trait.

Darikwa playing for Burnley

Value for Money?

There's a disparity between some reports on the fee, with it initially being reported in the £1mill region, but with later reports suggested £2mill. It adds competition in position we need it, with no Pereira this season. Darikwa is that same marauding right back role as Hildeberto with more much discipline. Some might argue the money could be best spent in other positions when you look at the modern full back they often offer so many assists (Kieran Trippier an obvious example) that the money spent anywhere needs to be good.

In Summary

It feels odd to sign a new potential replacement player in the same position at last seasons Player of the Season. But progress must be made at any juncture we can. We struggled last season, and so if any position, even if we feel its our strongest can be improved then we should look to do that. Lichaj would be a very capable back up, or even utilised as left back. With Tendayi being a Nottingham lad its always nce to have that local connection, he knows what the clubs all about. Having a core of local lads is always going to be a bonus, and the fans feel more connected to “one of their own.” Warburton from the get go has been linked with new right backs and now he has one.

It will be interesting to see who gets the shirt against Millwall, Lichaj or Darikwa.