Duane Holmes linked with a return to Huddersfield Town

Photo: Andy Clarke

Derby County and USA midfielder Duane Holmes is on the verge of an imminent return to boyhood club Huddersfield Town, as reported by Football Insider. 

The 26-year-old has recently fallen out of favour in the East Midlands, having failed to make the squad for the Rams’ last league outing against Sheffield Wednesday and being an unused substitute during the two fixtures prior to that.

A graduate of the Huddersfield academy, Holmes failed to make his mark on the Terriers’ first-team following his debut just over seven years ago. 

Short loan spells with Yeovil Town and Bury followed for the midfielder, so did 25 more appearances for his parent club, before he eventually sealed a permanent switch to Scunthorpe United in 2016.

Holmes’ first season with The Iron was adequate, however, it was his second season form that caught the eye of those from the league above.

He featured 54 times for the Lincolnshire outfit throughout the 2017/18 campaign, scoring nine and assisting five, playing a vital role in the club achieving a fifth-place finish – only for eventual Play-Off winners Rotherham to beat them in the Semi-Final. 

Playing primarily on the right of midfield, Holmes also featured on the left, in the middle and as a central attacking midfielder, showcasing his impressive versatility for the then League One outfit.

It was then announced in the summer of 2018 that,  following his splendid displays, Holmes had earned himself a move to Championship side Derby County, signing a three-year contract for the Rams who were under Frank Lampard’s management at the time.

It is safe to say that Holmes played his best football under Lampard, albeit after a slow start to life at the club.

The energetic midfielder featured just once in the opening 14 league fixtures prior to playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 victory over Birmingham City at Pride Park.

Holmes then went on to miss just two of Derby’s next 24 encounters having truly cemented his place in the squad. 

His stats aren’t a true reflection of his importance to Lampard’s side that season, recording just two goals and four assists in 33 appearances as the Rams reached the Championship Play-Off final. 

He provided a spark in midfield, an ounce of flare that was perhaps unexpected upon his arrival at the club.  His ability to drive forward and take on opposition defenders often had Derby supporters on their feet, as did his intricate dribbling displays.

Holmes’ versatility was again on show throughout the season as he filled in at right-back for a number of matches, adding to the tally of positions covered by the USA international. 

It was off the back of this campaign that he actually earned his first call up to the USA squad, making two appearances for the States after being named in the provisional 40-man squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

His carefree, jolly, likeable persona combined with his on-field displays made him an instant hit with the fans, many of whom still speak fondly of Holmes today.

It was another period of transition for Derby in the summer of 2019 as Lampard was replaced by Phillip Cocu at the helm of the club. 

Holmes featured 36 times throughout the 2019/20 campaign, scoring three and assisting three as the Rams had to settle for a mid-table finish. 

Granted, Holmes was directly involved in the same amount of goals as the season before, but his performances had begun to stall, with the end product of the energetic midfielder being called into question.

Although not a major concern, doubt was beginning to settle in as to whether or not he would be able to fulfil his potential with the club, doubt that has all but been justified during the current season.

With just one goal in fifteen appearances to his name this season, it appears as though the time has come for Holmes to part way with the Rams – Huddersfield Town his likely destination. 

The Terriers are likely to be signing a reinvigorated Duane Holmes, who will be more than geared up to prove his worth in West Yorkshire at the second time of asking. 

For Derby, it is a fringe player off the wage bill with a healthy fee collected, for Huddersfield, it’s a player with potential, who already knows the club well and has a point to prove. It’s a deal that makes a lot of sense.

Holmes will certainly be an interesting player to keep an eye on should the deal go through.

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