Derby defender Eiran Cashin: 'I'm not the biggest or the tallest or the strongest, but I've found a way to make it work'

Derby's Eiran Cashin chats to Sky Sports about how he has learned to 'box clever' as a defender in League One. Watch Derby County vs Burton live on Sky Sports Football this Monday from 7.30pm; kick-off 8pm

Friday 12 January 2024 17:47, UK

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You could say that Eiran Cashin's biggest strength is he knows what his weaknesses are.

«I probably wouldn't be a typical centre-half, if you were to cut one out,» he tells Sky Sports, with a smile on his face.

«I'm not the biggest or the tallest or the strongest, but I've found a way to make it work.

»I work on all my strengths and all my weaknesses and I make sure that my weaknesses are not too bad."

His weaknesses aren't bad at all. The 6ft 22-year-old has recently passed the milestone of 100 appearances for Derby County — a figure he would barely have believed possible during his time in the club's academy — and he has been one of the standout centre-backs in the EFL this season.

«It was almost surreal,» he admits. «A really proud moment.

»There was times in the academy I got told I wasn't going to play for Derby.

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«There were academy representatives who said we think you'll have a good career, maybe in non-League or at National League level, if you work hard.

»I've had a lot of ups and downs in my career. There will always be doubters.

«So to prove them wrong and to get 100 appearances is massive for me, and obviously my family.

»Hopefully there are many more to come."

While he wouldn't admit it, Cashin has likely benefitted from the strife around Derby in recent seasons. He was handed his debut by Wayne Rooney in the club's relegation season from the Championship.

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