Derby County

Dion Sanderson

An athletic centre back best suited to playing on the right of a back three, more mobile across the ground than physically overpowering the way some defenders are. He reads passing lanes early and covers ground quickly, which lets Derby play a higher line.
England Derby County DEF
Appearances
3
Tackles won
2

Season Snapshot

Minutes played
270
90.00 per match
Tackles won
2
Interceptions
1
Clean sheets contributed
11
as defensive proxy

Season Stats

Appearances
3
Minutes played
270
Tackles won
2
Interceptions
1
Clearances
11
Blocks
4

League Rankings

Among EFL Championship 2026/27 defenders

Tackles won
46th of 113
Interceptions
95th of 113
Clearances
50th of 145
Blocks
20th of 88
🟨 Most Cards #7 of 110
🎯 Pass Master #50 of 455
😈 Bad Boys #67 of 316
💪 Workhorses #133 of 294
👻 Ghost Players #176 of 294
img EFL
POR
POR
19:45
Tue 1 Sep
DER
DER
img EFL
WHU
WHU
14:00
Sat 5 Sep
DER
DER
img EFL
DER
DER
18:45
Wed 9 Sep
WBA
WBA
img EFL
DER
DER
11:30
Sat 12 Sep
BIR
BIR
img EFL
BUR
BUR
14:00
Sat 19 Sep
DER
DER

Dion Sanderson, The Athletic Answer On The Right

Described as having a classy presence on the right of a back three, he offers mobility other defenders in the squad lack.

Sanderson's game is built around athleticism rather than sheer physical dominance. That makes him particularly suited to playing on the right side of a back three, where recovery pace and reading the game matter more than winning every individual duel. He covers ground quickly to snuff out danger before it reaches the penalty area, and that mobility lets a manager push the defensive line higher than they might risk with a more traditional stopper in the same role.

The tension around him is whether that athletic profile holds up in a back four rather than a back three, where the space he covers changes considerably and there is less protection either side of him. He has captained a club before, so the leadership is already there. It is really a question of which shape gets the most from the specific tools he offers.

The Rest Of The Squad

26 players

Goalkeepers

1
Jacob Widell Zetterström
Sweden · Age 28
3 apps
31
Josh Vickers
Age 30
0 apps
12
Richard O'Donnell
Age 37
0 apps

Defenders

18
Charlie Taylor
West Bromwich Albion · Age 32
3 apps
22
Max Johnston
Age 22
3 apps
6
Sondre Langås
Norway · Age 25
3 apps
3
Craig Forsyth
Age 37
1 app
24
Ryan Nyambe
Reading · Age 28
1 app
2
Derry John Murkin
Age 27
0 apps
5
Matt Clarke
Age 29
0 apps

Midfielders

20
Alex Mowatt
West Bromwich Albion · Age 31
3 apps
8
Bobby Clark
Age 21
3 apps 1g 1a
27
Lewis Travis
Age 28
3 apps
23
Joe Ward
Age 31
2 apps
29
Oscar Fraulo
Age 22
2 apps
26
Ryan Hedges
Blackburn Rovers · Age 31
2 apps
13
Filip Bilbija
Age 26
1 app
37
Owen Eames
Age 19
1 app
41
Charlie Smith
Age 17
0 apps
17
Kenzo Goudmijn
Age 24
0 apps

Forwards

33
Corey Blackett-Taylor
Bolton Wanderers · Age 28
3 apps
15
Lars-Jørgen Salvesen
Age 30
3 apps
10
Rhian Brewster
Age 26
3 apps
9
Carlton Morris
Age 30
2 apps 1g 1a
11
Sam Szmodics
Age 30
2 apps 1g
7
Patrick Agyemang
Age 25
0 apps

Dion Sanderson

Dion Sanderson

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