Saturday 19 January 2019 21:12, UK
Derby boss Frank Lampard has expressed his delight at the progress of Harry Wilson after the Liverpool loanee scored his 12th goal of the season on Saturday.
Having become known as a set-piece extraordinaire after some sublime strikes in both the league and cup competitions this season, Wilson added another in the 2-1 win over Reading, hitting a deflected shot from outside the 18-yard box that wrong-footed goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola.
This tendency to score a certain style of goal has led to his ability in other areas being called into question, but, speaking after the game at Pride Park, Lampard declared just how impressed he's been with the Wales international.
He told Sky Sports: "There's a lot of talk about Harry and early in the season he was hitting spectacular goals, but what he's done which has really impressed me in the last two months is really up his game generally.
"Everything about his game is positive, he wants the ball, he's creating, he's scoring so it's not just the fantastic goals that Harry Wilson is; he's a player who is developing fast and I'm loving watching him play at the minute.
"He's a threat, he works hard, he wants to play every minute of every game. I know Harry is happy here, 12 goals this season and performing as well as he is so I hope it continues. He's become a hugely important player for us."
Lampard also took time to address rumours that he is pursuing a move for former England and Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole, after his contract expired at LA Galaxy.
He added: "It's not done yet so there is no update. I have spoken to Ashley and personally I think he would come in and compete in an area where we know we are slightly short defensively, so it would be a big deal for us.
"Ashley for me is the best English left back of the recent generation so to bring that into the dressing room would be a good thing for us but it's not done so I won't get too excited yet."
