2026-27 Season preview
- Jack Bryan
- 2 days ago
- 17 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
The new season is upon us, and yet Derby County fans remain impatient. Alongside the usual mix of tension and excitement that accompanies the start of a new campaign, there is a rather large elephant in the room. That being the pending investment from Saudi government official and billionaire boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh.
Four years on from David Clowes’ reluctant act of heroism, this has potential to be a season that is most consequential, as the lifelong fan hands over a large stake in the club in exchange for a cash injection.
The Rams are already “a year ahead of schedule” as per CEO Stephen Pearce at March’s fans forum. This is in no small part down to John Eustace and his coaching staff, who secured an eighth-place finish to 2025-26, leading the Rams boss to talk of “wanting to get into the Premier League over the next two or three seasons.” To many, investment or not, this feels plausible, for which huge credit must go to Leigh Bromby and the recruitment team who have unearthed gems such as Patrick Agyemang.
Blending a promising young player in each position with a Championship proven mentor will surely remain the strategy as The Rams look to push on in what many believe will be one of the most competitive second tier campaigns in modern times.
As we will mention several times, there is still much work to do in the transfer market for The Rams, supposedly due to investment-related hold-ups. As if the Championship is not unpredictable enough, this only makes Derby’s start even more so.
But I have assembled a crack team of writers for the new campaign to make sense of everything Rams-related, from pre-season to the tactics and the transfers. And I have forced them to join me in putting their necks on the line and making some predictions too.
As we enter a seismic period for Derby County, here is everything you need to know about the state of play for the men’s first team.
The Head Coach
Jack Bryan - Editor
Is John Eustace the best manager in the Championship? He is certainly up there.
In 18 months, he has transformed The Rams from near certainties to go down to play-off contenders. Really, he has been the perfect head coach for David Clowes, calm, measured and pragmatic. In building the “Derby County Family” he has fostered a real sense of community at the club, which is clearly attracting players to his project.
That pragmatism comes mainly in that “we don’t get too high, or too low” mantra. While he did once tell me: “I don’t care as long as we win”, there has been evolution of the style of play to become more entertaining. Yes, Eustace wants a solid foundation, but his side love to exploit space in behind with rapid transitions, which were particularly effective on the road New first team coach Ben Wilkinson, who has arrived from Manchester City was incredibly highly rated by Pep Guardiola. A former Rams youngster, he should help accelerate the side’s progression in trying to control games, with a marked improvement at Pride Park in the run-in.
The question for Eustace now is not how he will fair with a club for a full season, but how he deals with higher expectations. This is not a team who have just avoided the drop, but one expected to be in the play-off conversation, at the very least least. And then there is the huge change of Alalshikh’s expected arrival. The Saudi Arabian is a much bolder character than Clowes, likely to be much more public and potentially unpredictable. Eustace’s ability to remain level-headed could be more vital than ever.
The System
Jack Bryan - Editor
Having finally been able to build a team in his image as last season went on, Eustace’s best results have come using a 4-2-3-1 which has become a 3-2-5 come 3-1-6 in possession.
Eustace’s goalkeeper is a shot-stopper first, often looking to play over the backline to the target man, with the second ball then won in midfield.
At the back the two centre backs are joined in the backline by a dropping defensive midfielder (generally Lewis Travis) in possession to form a back three. A central midfielder who can both screen and crucially dictate play is deployed in the middle of the park, pushing up to join the number 10 in the final third in the most attacking phases of play.
The full backs are both encouraged to get forward as the main width providers, tasked with combining with their wingers and delivering dangerous crosses for a target man. The likes of Derry Murkin often use their athleticism to deliver from the byline, while the full back on the other side, but Joe Ward, for example, often prefers to cross from deep, trusting his quality of delivery to drop the ball into a crowded box before defenders are fully aware it is happening.
This difference comes too from the positioning of the wingers, with the left winger tending to operate as an inside forward, rotating inside to form a strike partnership and play off the number nine, On the right, Ben Brereton Díaz tended to stay wider, overloading outside areas with Ward. But with Johnston’s desire to make lung-busting runs, whether in or outside, there may well be more fluidity in the right winger’s role.
Indeed, with Ward filling in there in pre-season, it was clear how much work was going into this right-sided overload, but the exact dynamics will become clearer when the gaps in the squad are filled.
As a number 10, Eustace has two very different profiles, Bobby Clark will like to drop in and play-make in tight spaces or drift out to the left to combine with the left back. When he is doing similar things from deeper, Sam Szmodics or Filip Bilbija are more attack-minded, making channel runs into the box in search of goals. Wed may well see more of this in Agyemang’s absence, if the left winger is not as good a finisher.
And the nine is the glue that nits this all together, Carlton Morris using his guile to drop in for a flick on and tee up one of the three w behind him to run beyond as often as he is the fox in the box, He often does both in one move, dropping in for the flick on, before arriving in the box to have a teammate return the favour.
What does all of this rely on: partnerships. Which is why John Eustace was so pleased to finally have a relatively settled XI at the end of last season, and so keen to get business done early. One out of two is not bad, I guess.
As I will come to when profiling the squad, that midfielder who can control a game, enabling your Travis-type anchors to focus on defence, and the creators to express themselves is a vital, but currently missing cog. A selection of strong ball carriers are still needed out wide, players comfortable going inside and outside to remain unpredictable. Most importantly they must be willing runners.
Off the ball, Derby are disciplined and often compact in a 4-4-2. Attackers who can break at pace, whether out wide or as a 10 are vital to chase down long balls, flick ons from a target man or penetrative passes from someone like Clark.
The captain
Dan Swift - Football Journalist
Lewis Travis did not have the best start to life with The Rams, but as the season went on, he grew into the role of captain and improved significantly, showing strong leadership despite making just 28 appearances in all competitions. He faced his fair share of criticism from supporters, largely due to a string of inconsistent performances. Many fans even called for him to be dropped, and a calf strain that kept him sidelined for 14 matches did little to help his cause.
The captain of any football club is always likely to shoulder some of the blame after poor performances. Travis arrived from Blackburn Rovers after previously working under John Eustace and was immediately handed the captain's armband, taking over from fan favourite Ebou Adams, who was later sold. That decision only increased the pressure on Travis, with many supporters viewing him as Adams' replacement.
This season, Travis has the chance to prove his worth. If he can build on the form he showed towards the end of last season, he can demonstrate why Eustace placed his faith in him as captain. His work rate, energy, and ability to protect the defence while helping his side progress up the pitch are qualities he consistently displayed at Blackburn, and Rams fans will be hoping to see those attributes this season.
The transfer window
Joe Egerton - Football Journalist and owner of @DerbyCountyUpdates2
Ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, there seems to be a strong sense of excitement amongst the fanbase. With the ongoing investment talks with Saudi billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh, the expectation will be for Derby to build on a strong season last year and push for the top eight.
Despite this, plenty of work needs to be completed before the end of the transfer window. Whilst the additions of Bobby Clark, Sammie Szmodics and Filip Bibija provide strength in numbers in the attacking midfield positions, and Charlie Taylor will add depth at the back, John Eustace is lacking options in the wide areas. Derby’s only natural wide option is Corey Blackett Taylor who has had numerous injury setbacks since his arrival in January 2024.
Since Eustace arrived at Derby in February 2025, he has had much joy playing systems which include wing backs playing further up the pitch to help the midfield. This was clear in the 24/25 season, when he deployed a 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2 to help keep Derby in the division. At the beginning of last season, he then switched to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation (with attack-minded full backs), which he also used at Birmingham City.
With Eustace admitting that it is unlikely we will see any new additions before next week’s season opener at Charlton, it is not time to press the panic button yet. A few additions in those wide areas, with the threat of a fully fit Carlton Morris, will be ever so important as Derby chase a first Championship play-off campaign since 2019.
How did Derby fare in pre-season?
Archie Brown - Football Journalist
This pre-season campaign has shown signs of intrigue, but also left a lot to be desired for Rams fans. As well as the usual local pre-season friendly again local side Burton Albion, Derby have faced a wide range of opponents from Bundesliga side SC Freiburg, to Spanish La Liga side Valencia.
Despite the addition of several new signings, as well as appearances from returning loanees and fringe players, the Rams have won just three out of their seven games. In particular during the opener against Alfreton, trialist Ryan Hedges looked the brightest player on the pitch (alongside the returning Bobby Clark).
One of the final games of pre-season, a 1-0 defeat to the hands of Burton in the Bass Charity Vase, highlighted a lack of composure from the side and left fans worried about what is to come next season with teams such as West Ham and Wolves to face in the Championship.
Pre-season results:
Alfreton Town (0-2 W), SC Freiburg (1-3 L), Valencia (1-2 L), Mansfield (1-3 W), Burton Albion (1-0 L), Port Vale (1-1 D), Rotherham (1-1 D).
The squad
Jack Bryan - Editor
John Eustace had clearly hoped to be further along in the recruitment process, with just four additions to date. But despite it being “very evident” that his side are short of numbers, particularly in midfield and on the wings, the 46-year-old has a strong core to work with.
Expand the positonal subsections below for my full breakdown.
Goalkeepers
In goal, Jacob Widell Zetterström is entering his third season at Pride Park off the back of becoming Sweden’s number one at the World Cup. Having recovered from the illness that kept him out for three months at the start of the year, his performances against Japan and France (despite losing 3-0) have only intensified interest from Leeds, Frankfurt, and Lyon. A commanding shot-stopper with a tendency to pull off the spectacular, he has become more comfortable with the ball at his feet. The Swede will hope to improve on his tally of seven clean sheets in 32 games last season.
Josh Vickers is now in his fourth season with Derby and remains a very competent, composed back-up when called upon. But a broken finger meant that he only played seven of the games Zetterström missed last term, providing a chance for Richard O’Donnell to play his first Championship minutes in nine years. Returning to the second tier like a duck to water, the 37-year-old became a cult hero as he kept four clean sheets in nine appearances, including in the 5-0 win at Bristol City.
Under head of goalkeeping Paul Clements, the GK union seems as strong as any other part of the club.
Defenders
At right back, Joe Ward enjoyed a resurgent campaign as Derby’s premier creator last season, following an injury ravaged 18 months. His delivery and set pieces are among the best in the division, but the right-sider’s defensive abilities have been questioned; he is generally more comfortable in a back five. Can the 30-year-old keep his place with dynamic young Scotland international Max Johnston breathing down his neck?
Johnston arrived from Austrian side Sturm Graz to much fanfare last summer and will be hoping to have a similarly renascent season after missing five months hamstring and calf problems. The 22-year-old is more athletic than Ward, liking to motor forwards, whilst comparatively more comfortable in the art of defence. His delivery is not as accurate, but his link-up play is stronger, and he is comfortable on the left too.
Ryan Nyambe is a very different profile of full back, defence first, so to speak. Having spent the second half of last season on loan at League One Reading, he is widely expected to be on his way out.
On the left, Derry Murkin will be first choice, endearing himself to the Rams faithful by bombing down the flank since his arrival from Utrecht in January. He combines powerful frame with good crossing ability to be a huge threat on the overlap but is not afraid to go inside and execute cute combination play with a winger or midfielder. Out of possession he is strong too; he was in the 85th percentile for defensive contributions per 90.
His first full season in English football could be a big one.
But Murkin is still a few weeks away from a return from minor back surgery, so in the meantime, the mantle will fall to stalwart Craig Forsyth and Charlie Taylor. More experienced heads, they lack the pace to get forward as effectively as Derby’s number two but are still solid defenders when backs are against the wall. Both are perhaps more comfortable as left-sided centre backs though; I would expect another left back to arrive if Eustace is committed to the attacking profile.
At centre back, Matt Clarke was Derby’s player of the season last year. When it comes to the art of defending, Clarke is a master at this level – no one made more defensive contributions in the Championship than him last season. Not the quickest of defenders, the number five, who is in his third spell with The Rams, is often seen as a head it, kick it defender. But the 29-year-old does like to make a mazy run forward from left centre back, even if they do give Eustace a heart attack.
This should be a big season for Sondre Langås, who was part of the Norway squad which reached the World Cup quarter finals. When fit, he has shown himself to be a Rolls Royce of a defender, with his rapid recovery pace enabling him to step out with the ball and cover for less athletic defenders. Also comfortable at right back, the former Viking man has had two big injuries during his 18 months in England, including playing through the last few months of 2024-25 with a torn meniscus. Avoid that, and he should show himself to be one of the league’s best.
And Dion Sanderson is a trusted lieutenant of Eustace, having worked together at Birmingham and Blackburn. After a shaky start to his loan spell last season, he grew with the side as they put together a strong run of form in October and November, leading to his move being made permanent in January. A big character in the squad, who was central to Bobby Clark’s return, he has not looked back since.
Midfielders
In midfield, captain Lewis Travis will be the anchor. “He plays on the edge,” in the words of Eustace, and if he can channel that passion and build on a strong end to last season, he could be vital. But the partnership and understanding that he built up with Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh last season are no more, for now at least. A potential third return for the 21-year-old, who combines class on the ball with an immense engine off it, is reportedly on the cards, though. It would a tantalising prospect for many fans, particularly with the current lack of depth in deeper midfield areas.
Similar was said about Bobby Clark, who has now become a prized asset of Derby’s following a permanent return from RB Salzburg. The reigning young player of the year is The Rams’ flagship signing at £6m (thank you agent Sanderson) and will be central to their success. He is the team’s main playmaker, but is also an excellent progressive carrier, driving his side up the pitch. The former Liverpool youngster will hope to improve on his six goal contributions last season, but given his defensive development and versatility, it is unclear whether this will be from a central midfield role or as a number 10.
In contrast, Oscar Fraulo has had a difficult start to life in the East Midlands after arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach in January. Signed with this season in mind, the Dane only made two starts but did score at QPR in April. Fraulo, 22, is technically superb, and created 10 chances in 465 minutes split across 19 appearances last season. Just as Clark did, he must now step up to the rough and tumble of the Championship too,
Otherwise, he risks a fate akin to that of Dutchman Kenzo Goudmijn, another classy, creative European import, who has struggled with the physical demands of English football. After an underwhelming loan spell back in his homeland, it is anticipated that he will be leaving Moor Farm.
As the last member of the 2018-19 Under-18 Premier League winning side, Liam Thompson’s move to Mansfield Town marks the end of an era for the academy. But in Owen Eames and Cruz Allen, the next generation of prospects from Moor Farm are ready to make their mark. Both are probably best described as attacking midfielders but are different players. There is a chance that Allen, a Welsh youth international renowned for his considered technical style, may go out on loan. The effervescent Eames looks set to stick around, though. The 19-year-old is pacier and always been a big character. It is no surprise to those who have worked with him that he is fearless in contests with experienced heads, whether playing in midfield or out wide.
Filip Bilbija is surely Derby’s most intriguing pick up this summer. The German was the most clinical finisher in the 2. Bundesliga last season and reportedly turned down top-flight football in his homeland to join The Rams. He can play anywhere in midfield, out wide or up front, but I am calling him a 51, and have begrudgingly described him solely as a midfielder for the sake of the dropdown list. While his versatility will be a blessing for Eustace, he will have to hope it does not prevent him from nailing down a settled place in the team as he adapts to the English game.
Forwards
Carlton Morris made a flying start to life in the East Midlands last season, scoring 10 goals in his first 16 league games before injury sidelined him for three months. While The Rams’ talisman only scored twice after his return but still averaged 0.51 goals per 90, and the former Luton skipper brings so much more than his excellent goalscoring record. The 30-year-old was in the 95th percentile for duels and aerial duels won last season, with excellent hold-up play and strong leadership to boot.
Morris is widely regarded as Derby’s best frontman since Chris Martin. This generation’s CM9 has also hit 20 goals in a Championship season before, when Luton won promotion in 2022-23. He will need to find that sort of form if The Rams are to be in the promotion race.
Rhian Brewster is comfortable across the front four. A Champions League winner at 19 with Liverpool, injuries disrupted his development following a £20m move to Sheffield United. Last season he scored 0.43 goals per 90, with seven goals and two assists in 1468 league minutes. But his game time has had to be carefully managed – he is only now on his way back from an injury sustained against Birmingham in March, when he was in his best form of the campaign.
It may take him a little longer to get up to speed, but his quality is obvious, particularly as a 10 or false nine.
Oh, Lars-Jørgen Salvesen. It feels as though it has been a case of right man, wrong time, for The Rams’ number 15. The Norwegian was signed as Paul Warne’s long awaited target man, three weeks before the bobble hat aficionado’s sacking. Injured following Eustace’s second game in charge, last season, he started just three league games. Although he scored in important wins over Swansea, Hull and Bristol City, Salvesen will be a rotation option at best. An exit could be on the cards.
Sam Szmodics was the star man in John Eustace’s Blackburn side, winning the 2023-24 Championship golden boot, so there was excitement when he arrived on loan from Ipswich in February. He amassed four goal contributions in 13 games as struggles to build fitness and a concussion sustained on international duty disrupted the Ireland international’s momentum.
But back on another loan (with an appearance-based obligation to buy), and with a pre-season under his belt, Eustace will be looking for more of those dangerous channel runs from which he so often scores, whether in his primary role as a second striker in the 10, up front, or on the left.
Corey Blackett-Taylor is, in many ways, the ideal profile of winger for Eustace, pacey and direct. But after two-and-a-half years at Pride Park, it is not clear if he can cut it in the second tier. After a storming 2025-26 pre-season, he provided a brilliant assist for Carlton Morris on the opening day before picking up an injury which kept him out until the new year. The same thing then happened on loan at Bolton.
Transfer delays may yet give him the opportunity to prove himself, but availability is an ability: an exit is certainly possible when reinforcements arrive.
Patrick Agyemang endeared himself to Rams fans with his explosive pace and power last season, as well as hitting 10 goals. Though it took the American international time to adapt to a new country, he stepped up to lead the line well in Morris’ absence before finding his best form as a left-sided inside forward, exploiting space in behind and bulldozing his way inside to shoot. In a cruel twist, an Achillies injury ruled him out of appearing at a home World Cup, and he is not expected to return until Christmas time. If he can pick up where he left off though, he will be like a new signing.
Where will Derby finish?
Dan: I think it is only natural to feel optimistic about the upcoming season as a Derby fan after the clear progress we saw last year. Climbing 11 places and finishing 19 points better off than in 2024/25 gives supporters every reason to believe the club is moving in the right direction. The summer signings have strengthened the squad, while the return of Bobby Clark and the possibility of David Ozoh coming back would further build on last season's foundations. With the Championship play-offs now expanding to six teams, I think I speak for many Rams fans when I say we'll be in and around the play-off picture.
Final prediction: 8th.
Joe: In terms of a final finish, I have Derby to snatch eighth position. The Rams have given themselves something to build on after last season. If the likes of Johnston, Langås and Morris can all avoid lengthy injuries, then with the addition of another two play-off positions, I fancy Derby to get the job done.
Final Prediction: 8th.
Archie: Following the frustrations of last season’s final day, I believe the upcoming season will deliver a long-awaited play-off position for the Rams. With new additions such as Filip Bilbija and Charlie Taylor, as well as the returning Bobby Clark and Sam Szmodics, Derby certainly have what it takes to get over the line in the new six-team play-off structure. John Eustace embarks on his second full season as Derby County manager, with the hopes of repeating the play-off success of former manager, Frank Lampard in the 2018/19 campaign.
Final prediction: 7th.
Jack: Replicating last season’s eight place finish has to be the minimum target for Derby given it would earn them a shot at promotion via the play-offs. This year’s Championship appears stronger than last (West Ham and Wolves’ squads are particularly hard to look past) so clubs really are having to spend just to stand still. But investment and the subsequent backing expected turns that play-off target into a near necessity for John Eustace, who will hope for a bit more luck in the injury department. Though the benefits of that are somewhat offset by the recruitment delay; it may well be another slower start.
On balance, I would expect Derby to be one of the first ever play-off quarter-finalists. But right now, I see them at the lower end of that section, with so much recruitment work still to do. I will hopefully have a different view come the end of the transfer window – I do tend to low ball predictions.
Final prediction: 8th.
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