Marek Rodak in: Derby County's dream XI for next season ft 5 realistic signings | OneFootball

Paul Warne will need to act fast in the summer transfer window to build the Derby County squad he needs to compete in the Championship after promotion last season.

The Rams finished second in League One and now return to the second tier for the first time since 2022. However, with several first team players departing, wholesale changes are needed at the club.

Derby have not paid a transfer fee since 2020 due to financial issues and eventual administration, but that is set to change this season with club CEO, Stephen Pearce, acknowledging the effort needed to keep the Rams up back in March: “We’re not there to make up the numbers, we want to compete, and we will make sure there is a competitive wage bill and squad to do that.”

With pre-season not too far away, here's a look at how FLW could see Derby set up next year in the Championship. Derbyreleased Conor Hourihane, Dwight Gayle, Scott Loach, Korey Smith, Martyn Waghorn, and Joe Wildsmith as part of their retained list - and with Max Bird and Ebou Adams returning to their parent clubs, the starting XI is set to look wholly different from last season.

GK - Marek Rodák

Marek Rodák, 27, had been plying his trade for Premier League side Fulham, however, he is now a free agent after the expiration of his contract. The Slovakian could be a great replacement for Joe Wildsmith, League One's Golden Glove winner last term.

Rodák previously played under Warne on loan at Rotherham United but has been used sparingly by Fulham in the last couple of seasons, mostly as a cup goalkeeper.

However, he has helped the Cottagers win promotion to the top flight twice and is a reliable, mature shot-stopper. At six-foot-two, he could be a commanding addition to Derby's already strong defence and his experience would be vital in helping secure the Rams' survival in their first year back in the Championship.

RB - Joe Ward

Derby are blessed in the right-back department with Ryan Nyambe and Kane Wilson great challengers to Joe Ward, 28. However, Ward ended the 2023/24 season in superb fashion, despite an injury causing him to miss the on-field promotion party.

Peterborough United's longest-serving player joined the Rams last season, and although he had an injury-hit indifferent start, he was vital in a promotion six-pointer against Portsmouth with two excellent goals from distance.

It can be questioned if Ward is better operating from wing-back, but with a potential change of system to help with the progression up to the Championship, he may find himself in a deeper role than before - one that he may just flourish in.

CB - Curtis Nelson

Was there any doubt about the two centre-back positions? Curtis Nelson, 31, and Eiran Cashin were instrumental in Derby's promotion last season, creating an extremely solid backbone that was incredibly hard to break down.

The Rams conceded just 37 goals in the league last season, the best of any side, and it's no wonder that the former Cardiff City man was awarded Derby's Player of the Season by both the fans and players.

If he can carry his form from League One back to the Championship, it could be a highly successful season at Pride Park.

CB - Eiran Cashin

Nelson's formidable partner throughout 2023/24, Eiran Cashin, 22, is one of the most highly rated youngsters in the EFL.

Cashin came through the academy at Derby alongside the likes of Louie Sibley, Morgan Whittaker, and Max Bird and is looking to stamp his mark on the Championship in his first full term in the division.

Brighton & Hove Albion were highly interested in the former Republic of Ireland U21 defender, but with a new long-term contract until 2027, he will be looking to help the Rams return to heights not seen for well over a decade.

With 248 recoveries and a tackling success rate of 75.8%, it will be hard to get past an ever-maturing Cashin next season as he edges closer to a full international call-up.

LB - Ben Osborn

The second potential signing on this list, Ben Osborn, 29, grew up as a Derby supporter. Nevertheless, he started his career at bitter rivals Nottingham Forest before moving on to Sheffield United.

Alan Nixon reported that Derby are interested in free agent Osborn, however, they will have to beat Watford to capture the signature of the ex-Forest man. And with limited viable options at the club that can operate at left-back across a full season, he could be key to the Rams' survival.

Able to operate anywhere down the left flank, as well as in the central midfield. Osborn's versatility could be of high interest to Warne, and with 266 Championship and 61 Premier League appearances to his name, the potential of his arrival is much to savour for Rams fans.

DM - Ebou Adams

Ebou Adams is possibly Derby's biggest target this summer. The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at DE24, introducing himself to fans with a standout performance against Charlton Athletic.

The Cardiff City midfielder was monstrous under Warne last time out and is already a fan favourite, his signature could be one of the most desired in recent history at the club by supporters.

Adams won 135 duels in just 17 games after his arrival, while also winning 66% of his tackles. His ability to break up opposition attacks and begin the counter for his own team was integral in Derby's promotion, and given the opportunity, he could be a star in the Rams' midfield once again in 2024/25.

It has been reported that Cardiff are open to listening to offers for the Gambian midfielder but only time will tell if Adams comes back to Pride Park in black-and-white rather than blue.

CM - Liam Thompson

Another of Derby's own, Liam Thompson, 22, played his role to perfection when called upon last campaign. Returning to the league in which he made his debut, he will be looking to fill the role left by his friend and former teammate Bird.

Despite starting just six games last season out of the 24 he featured in, his tenacity and willingness to run brought great excitement to the team.

This could be a make-or-break year for Thompson. He needs to show now, more than ever, that he has what it takes to become a mainstay in this Derby side.

CM - Herbie Kane

Barnsley's midfield ace, Herbie Kane, 25, has garnered attention from the Rams, as per Nixon. Kane joined the Tykes from Liverpool in 2020 and since then has made 123 appearances for his team.

With nine goals and five assists in League One last season, he could be the playmaker to replace Hourihane and add further youth to the team.

Kane was released by Barnsley in May amid their own rebuild following their play-off failure in 2023/24 and could save Derby a huge sum of money in replacing multiple midfielders.

With 31 Championship appearances to his name coming from a loan spell with Hull City before his move to Oakwell, he may just be looking to prove himself in the division once and for all and put behind two frustrating years at Barnsley.

RW - Corey Blackett-Taylor

Joining from Charlton Athletic on loan back in January, before his deal is made permanent at the start of July, Corey Blackett-Taylor, 26, will be hoping to show what he is truly capable of in the new season.

A fee in the region of £300,000 was settled for the winger, who was in fine form for the Addicks at the start of the last campaign. However, he failed to transfer it over to his new club - featuring from the bench for the most part.

Yet, a stand-out performance against Portsmouth showed Derby fans what he is able to do and he will be looking to hit the ground running in August.

Interchangeable on the flanks, Blackett-Taylor is still an exciting permanent addition for the Rams, and if he maintains his fitness, can become an important figure in this Derby team.

ST - Tyrese Campbell

After 31 goals and 16 assists in 142 Championship games for Stoke City, Tyrese Campbell, 24, is now a free agent. Derby have just two contracted strikers, currently in Conor Washington and Dajaune Brown, with James Collins yet to sign a new deal with the Rams.

Although his numbers are less than inspiring, a new club could be just what Campbell needs to get his shooting boots back, and with Blackett-Taylor and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing he has more than enough creativity alongside him to help him add more goals to his game.

More game-time is certainly on the agenda at Derby, and with a fast start, he may just become a new fan favourite at Pride Park.

The former England U20 player enjoyed a fruitful spell in Stoke's youth sides and will be looking to replicate that at a new club - proving to his doubters that he can be a solid Championship goalscorer.

LW - Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, 32, has been a machine for Derby since joining in 2022. The Guatemalan international has hit the back of the net 18 times while grabbing 29 assists in 101 games for the Rams, his best return for a club.

Able to operate anywhere across the front three, Mendez-Laing was instrumental in Derby's promotion last season, creating 89 chances, converting 16 of these into assists in League One.

Off the left, Mendez-Laing is able to cut in and release a ferocious shot but is also able to puzzle defenders with great pace and skill. He will be of huge importance to Derby next season and will be hoping to keep the good times coming at Pride Park for another year.