John Eustace has quickly fixed glaring Derby County issue - They could be the surprise package this season | OneFootball

Derby County have addressed their goalscoring issues by acting quickly in the summer transfer market.

Derby County will be looking forward to the new Championship season after securing their safety on a dramatic final day of the previous campaign.

Despite their struggles, it doesn’t tell the story of how the Rams performed under John Eustace, with the ex-Blackburn chief named as Paul Warne’s successor back in February.

Under his guidance, Derby picked up 21 points from 14 games, a return that would’ve had them in the top six if extrapolated over a full season.

John Eustace has made Derby County difficult to play against

Of course, it's a big jump to say they could be that consistent over 46 games, but it shows that the players responded to Eustace’s methods, and he deserves huge credit for the way he set the side up.

Their success in that period was built on defensive solidity, with Derby conceding 14 goals in the same number of games, although it’s worth pointing out four of those came in the first game.

In total, the Rams kept five clean sheets in that period, so they are competitive and a tough nut to crack for the opposition.

Derby County’s impressive transfer window should address their lack of goals

With those foundations in place, the next step for Eustace is to identify how Derby can improve - and it’s fair to say that everyone will know the answer.

A lack of goals was a problem for the East Midlands outfit, as they found the net just 15 times in Eustace’s 14 games, and only four teams scored fewer goals over the season.

Therefore, adding more firepower was always going to be the priority, so Derby deserve huge credit for sealing deals for Andi Weimann and Carlton Morris, with Patrick Agyemang also expected to sign in a multi-million pound transfer.

Derby fans know all about Weimann, and whilst the prospect of a 33-year-old joining on a free transfer isn’t too exciting, it does give them another threat. But, it’s the capture of Morris and the arrival of Agyemang that could really transform Eustace’s side.

Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang give Derby County a new threat

Firstly, Morris is proven at this level. Even though he scored just eight times last season, it was a difficult time for all connected to Luton.

Prior to that, he hit 20 as they won promotion to the Premier League in 2022/23, and followed that up with 11 in the top-flight. At 29, Morris still has a lot to offer, and if he can rediscover those levels, Derby will have a real threat on their hands.

Meanwhile, Agyemang is more of a risk, but the price Derby are forking out for the USA international shows they are convinced by his ability.

Like Morris, the 24-year-old has proven he knows where the back of the net is, as he hit 10 goals in MLS last season, and he is currently on six in 16 games this season.

Yet, it’s the thought of the duo as a partnership that will really worry opposition defenders.

Morris is a real nuisance to play against with his physicality. He backs in well, he always competes, and he is willing to put his head where it hurts to get on the scoresheet.

And, he will be joined by Agyemang, who stands at 6ft 4in, and has a burst of pace that Morris lacks.

Simply put, they are going to be a real handful to deal with, and whilst Eustace may encourage a more direct approach as a result, it could be very effective for Derby.

The boss’ preferred 3-5-2 formation requires a front two who can occupy defenders, and it frees up space for the wing-backs, who will no doubt be instructed to get quality balls into the box at every opportunity.

Furthermore, the duo are going to ensure Derby are a major threat from set-plays, so that could be another avenue for the club to improve their goal tally.

Eustace has had Birmingham and Blackburn punching above their weight in his short managerial career, and his points return with Derby is hugely impressive.

Now, with a bit more backing, he looks to have addressed Derby’s major weakness in the market, and it could make them the surprise package in the 2025/26 Championship season.