‘On more money’: Derby County boss details key factor behind Ebou Adams’ £500,000 Portsmouth move

John Eustace has lifted the lid on the deciding factor behind Ebou Adams move to Pompey in January.

And the Derby County boss has expressed his gratitude over the popular midfielder, as they prepare to face off for the first time during Monday’s televised showdown at Fratton Park.

It’s been an all-action start to life at PO4 for the 30-year-old, who completed a £500,000 switch from the Rams in the winter transfer window.

Adams’ has already established himself as a key figure in John Mousino’s engine room and the driving force behind the Blues’ survival bid.

This has seen the ‘General’ amass 12 outings to date - including a heroic man-of-the-match display in January’s south-coast derby where he netted the pivotal equaliser against bitter rivals Southampton.

His winter switch brought to a close a two-year stay at Pride Park, where he played a detrimental role in Derby’s 2023-24 League One promotion and Championship survival last term.

But the Gambia international’s game time became increasingly limited during the first-half of the campaign as he fell down the pecking order in Eustace’s engine room.

Derby boss explains Ebou Adams’ Pompey move

The Rams boss subsequently gave Adams the green light to seal a switch to Fratton Park, with Pompey crucially offering ‘more money’ and a longer-term deal - something which wasn’t likely to happen at Pride Park.

And although Eustace was reluctant to sanction his exit, the head coach made it clear the Blues’ proposition was too good to turn down.

Speaking to Derbyshire Live, he said: ‘It was a really difficult decision, but Ebbs wanted a contract extension and he wanted a bit more clarity on his future.

‘Portsmouth have given him a long deal on more money, so the lad wanted to go.

‘I wasn't going to stop it or stand in his way and he's doing terrific there. He's a fantastic person, first and foremost.

‘He's done really well and I won't forget his work that he did for me, since I was here.

‘I'm very grateful for that and I've got a lot of time and respect for him.’

What John Mousinho has said about Ebou Adams

Adams has already become an established figure in Mousinho’s engine room - starting all of their previous 11 Championship matches.

This has seen Pompey’s midfield transformed in recent weeks, with the former Cardiff City man’s contributions not going unnoticed.

And the Blues boss is adamant his January arrival has added a different dimension in the middle of the park.

Mousinho told The News earlier this week: ‘Quite possibly we’ve lacked what Ebou offers. We've had some good combinations there in the last couple of years.

‘If you look at some of the players we had in the middle of the park last season, Freddie was outstanding, Isaac came in and did a very, very good job as well.

‘Not so much Marlon because he played as a centre-half for most of the time, with Doz in there. Doz did a very, very good job and has probably been one the outstanding players this season prior to the injury.

‘We’ve had lots of different types of players, but probably that’s what we have been lacking this season.’

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