The 37-year-old has been a key contributor for the Rams this season, appearing in all 45 league games and establishing himself as a true leader in an inexperienced Pride Park locker room.
Davies has been a constant and authoritative figure at the back, helping the young second-tier club concede only 52 league goals this season, despite Tom Lawrence emerging as a clear player of the season favorite owing to his heroics.
With the 37-year-old not just keeping things tight at the back with Phil Jagielka earlier in the season, but also forging partnerships with Richard Stearman and youngster Eiran Cashin, this is the second-best defensive record of any team now in the bottom half of the division.
The presence of the seasoned defender has been especially vital since the departure of Phil Jagielka in January, and despite the team’s terrible form in recent months, he deserves praise for his efforts.
Kirchner has stated that he wants to stay in the East Midlands beyond the conclusion of the season, though it is unclear whether manager Wayne Rooney will agree. The player has already voiced his desire to stay with the relegated club—and he is not alone. Getting the defense locked up for another year would be a smart move, given that he’s proven his fitness this season, proving to be a great athlete at the age of 37.
His potential is undeniable, but several questioned whether he would be able to stay fit before the start of the season. Now that he has demonstrated that, he should be rewarded for his dedication to the cause with a new contract.
You’d expect the centre-back to be a real force in League One after resuming his career in the second tier, and while Derby are expected to make a number of additions in the summer, youngsters may still have to be relied on to some extent. He could also assist new players in acclimatizing to life at Pride Park, and with Lawrence’s future unknown due to interest from other clubs, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 37-year-old was named captain.
With him behaving well both on and off the field this season, it would be exceedingly unfair and the Rams’ loss if they let him go, albeit that is unlikely given this latest story.
