The lowdown on Eiran Cashin
Richie Mills
Eiran Cashin helped Derby win promotion from League One last season. 📷by James Boardman.
Eiran Cashin helped Derby win promotion from League One last season. 📷by James Boardman.
Eiran Cashin won’t be fazed by the step up to the Premier League as he is a “fierce competitor” and can go “very far” at Brighton.
That is according to Derby Telegraph writer Leigh Curtis, who believes Albion have a terrific talent on their hands in the “old school” style centre-back.
The 23-year-old, who signed from Championship side Derby County in January on a deal until 2030, has also been backed to become a popular figure at Amex Stadium.
"He is a fierce competitor who is never fazed by any challenge or player in front of him. While he may be only 23, there is a touch of the old school defender about him," said Curtis.
Eiran Cashin came through the academy at Derby County. 📷 by James Boardman.
Eiran Cashin came through the academy at Derby County. 📷 by James Boardman.
"Cashin rattles into the tackles, he reads the game well, and after initially being developed as a midfielder, he's an excellent passer of the ball. He does sometimes make the odd risky pass but we have to remember he is still learning his trade.
"Watch out for his ability to spread play with diagonal crossfield passes, which he has done on so many occasions at Derby.
"He is a terrific talent that has the ability to go very far. He's a good character, got a great sense of humour and I am sure the Brighton fans will love him."
Cashin was instrumental in helping Derby secure promotion from League One last season, with his displays earning him a fan favourite tag. As a result, he will be hugely missed at Pride Park.
Eiran could make his Albion debut on Saturday against Chelsea. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.
Eiran could make his Albion debut on Saturday against Chelsea. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.
"Naturally, everybody was sad to see him go. He was one of their own having come through the club's academy system," said Curtis. "His partnership with Curtis Nelson was the bedrock of Derby's success as they achieved their first promotion in 17 years. To see him hoisted on the shoulders of the fans and treated like a God was one of the Kodak moments of the season.
"He's not blessed with the greatest pace, but he has this incredible ability to time tackles to perfection. He's an excellent header of the ball and has a great left foot. Despite not being the tallest, he has an exceptional spring, and will be very good aerially in both boxes for Brighton."
Although the gulf between the Championship and Premier League is sizeable, Curtis believes Cashin - who scored six goals in 144 Derby appearances - can handle that steep learning curve.
"I would say the biggest improvement he made was the way he stepped up last season and became a real leader in the team," he said. "It was very rare he had a bad game and Derby ended last season with the best defensive record in the division.
The defender made 126 league appearances for the Rams. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.
The defender made 126 league appearances for the Rams. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.
"There is a lot of expectation at Derby, but he seemed to revel in that. Obviously it will take time to settle and adapt to the Premier League's demands but I believe the jump from League One to the Championship is as big as the Championship to the top-flight.
"Obviously in the Premier League, you're playing against world-class players and the pace will be a lot quicker than what he is used to. But he has an old head on young shoulders.
"He'll have to get used to that but he is still in his development phase and I think he has the potential to go far."

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