Coach Billy Davies is now out at Derby County, the last place team in England’s Premiership, a move that could have significant repercussions for Eddie Lewis and Benny Feilhaber, a pair of Americans who call Derby County home, says USSoccerPlayers’ J Hutcherson.
Davies was replaced by former Wigan Athletic coach Paul Jewell, a man who has considerable experience staving off relegation at the end of the EPL season. As is normal when a new manager takes over, Jewell immediately requested money for new players during the January transfer window. Meanwhile, neither Feilhaber nor Lewis made his first squad last weekend.
So where does that leave our American duo? In the transfer market, Jewell will undoubtedly look for strength and experience over midfield creativity, which is bad news for Feilhaber. That said, it couldn’t get much worse for the young American, who saw precious little time under Davies. Meanwhile, at 33, Eddie Lewis has experience, but he’s not that young anymore. Hutcherson says don’t be surprised if neither player survives the transfer period; rumor already has Lewis linked with a move to the San Jose Earthquakes, while Feilhaber’s national team experience should be enough to get him a decent gig somewhere else in Europe.