The 2025/26 Championship campaign will soon be upon us, and for Derby County it’s a different sort of challenge compared to last year.
Now a re-established second tier outfit, John Eustace will be looking for plenty of incomings in the coming weeks and months as the Rams look to avoid a relegation scrap once again.
Derby confirmed their survival on the final day last season, but the ambition this year will be to move towards mid-table in the Championship and put pressure on those in the top half of the division.
To do this though, improvements have to be made and EFL Analysis has taken a look at what a dream window looks like for the Rams this summer.
Derby County’s dream summer transfer window
John Eustace completes his Blackburn Rovers reunions
Ever since Eustace left Blackburn Rovers for Derby in February, there have been conversations surrounding the futures of many key players at Ewood Park.
Now, Andreas Weimann and Danny Batth are set to join the Rams, with Lewis Travis also a target at Pride Park. According to Pete O’Rourke, there is also interest in Owen Beck after a successful loan spell with Rovers in 2024/25, as the East Midlands outfit look for a new left-back.
However, the real deal would be bringing in Tyrhys Dolan after an excellent campaign in Lancashire, with the winger scoring seven goals and registering six assists in the Championship last season.
Kane Wilson signs a new long-term contract at Derby County
While Kane Wilson’s Rams stay was extended for another year when the club secured their survival, adding further security to this deal is vital.
The full-back has been Derby’s best right-back over the course of the last two years and his attacking quality will be extremely tough to replace.
Defensively, Wilson does have some work to do. However, there is no doubting that the 25-year-old is a very dangerous operator. Eustace has benefited greatly from having the ex-Bristol City man around and he must stay on at Pride Park.
Harrison Armstrong returns to the Rams
To make this a real dream transfer window, Derby would win the race for Harrison Armstrong.
Appearances (starts) 15 (12)
Minutes played 1105
Goals (assists) 1 (0)
xG 0.41
Pass accuracy 68.1%
Dribble success 60%
Tackle success 72%
Duel success 53.2%
Harrison Armstrong, Derby County stats 2024/2
5 – FotMob
The Everton midfielder is keen on a return to the Rams, but the Toffees are making Eustace wait for Armstrong as they evaluate whether he is ready for Premier League action or not.
The teenager was one of the standout stars in Derby’s team last season. Playing next to Ebou Adams and Liam Thompson, who the East Midlands outfit want to stay, he helped the Rams avoid relegation and he will be highly effective as the team looks to make that next step.
Discussion about this post