“Nightmare Start” – Every Player Linked with Derby County This Summer and What Happened Next
The summer of 2025 was a frenzied one for Derby County, as manager John Eustace attempted to rebuild the squad. Below is a look at the key signings and links, and what followed — for some, it’s already turned into something of a nightmare start.
1. Carlton Morris
Morris became Derby’s first signing of the summer, joining from Luton Town on a three-year deal. (dcfc.co.uk)
As the arrival of a proven Championship (and Premier League) scorer, hopes were high. Morris’ early actions: he scored a late equaliser to earn Derby a draw against Bristol City in August. (efl.com)
Outcome: On paper, a solid signing. But for a rebuild that demanded consistency and depth, one forward alone won’t erase problems elsewhere in the squad.
2. Danny Batth
A veteran central-defender signed in July 2025 from Blackburn Rovers, bringing leadership and experience. (dcfc.co.uk)
Outcome: Experience is useful — but age, pace, and the rigours of the Championship mean that relying on older heads can backfire. The defence may still look fragile.
3. Max Johnston
The Scotland international right-back arrived from Austrian club Sturm Graz in August 2025 and signed a four-year contract. (dcfc.co.uk)
Outcome: A long-term investment and perhaps one of the more encouraging deals. But as with others, immediate impact remains to be seen.
4. Others linked or confirmed
Additional signings included: – Ben Brereton Diaz (loan) and – Dion Sanderson (loan) among others. (The72 – Football League News)
Outcome: The volume of moves is notable — but volume alone doesn’t guarantee cohesion. New players need time, fitness and adaptation.
Why the “Nightmare” label might already fit
- Squad overhaul issues: A huge number of incoming and outgoing players suggests disruption rather than stability.
- Injuries & form: Several new arrivals are either ageing or untested in English football, meaning risk of early drop in performance.
- Expectations vs reality: Fans and management likely expected a smoother transition. With promises of promotion or at least strong Championship positioning, early misfires feed frustration.
Final thoughts
On paper, Derby’s summer window shows ambition. Signings like Morris, Batth and Johnston tick boxes for experience, profile and future potential. But the “nightmare start” tag comes from the mismatch between expectation and early performance — and the scale of change may hamper immediate results more than accelerate them.
If you like, I can pull together every player linked (including rumoured ones) and track their current status to give the full picture.
