Derby County’s £3.5m gamble forces John Eustace to act

Derby County paid a reported £3.5 million for 22‑year‑old Scottish right‑back Max Johnston, with an initial £2.2 million fee to Austrian side Sturm Graz, as head coach John Eustace looks to the three‑week international break to reverse a dismal start to the 2026/27 Championship campaign.

John Eustace’s first summer window in charge saw several permanent signings – Bobby Clark, Sammie Szmodics, Alex Mowatt and David Ozoh – but the club was more restrained than last season’s overhaul. Among the arrivals, Johnston was the second‑most expensive, arriving after Patrick Agyemang.

Season launch leaves Rams in the relegation zone

Derby have won only one of their opening eight league games and sit in the bottom three of the Championship, leaving supporters at best disenchanted. The Rams’ shape under Eustace often relies on wing‑backs, a role Johnston was expected to fill at right wing‑back.

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Injury has plagued Johnston from the outset. A hamstring problem followed by a calf setback ruled him out for a huge portion of the season, limiting him to just two starts in eight league matches. When he did start – notably against Swansea City – he was substituted at half‑time in a 3‑0 defeat.

Future decisions loom as value erodes

With Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League experience on his résumé, the club invested in Johnston hoping for immediate impact, yet he remains behind Joe Ward, Ryan Nyambe, Dion Sanderson and Sondre Langås in the pecking order.

If Johnston does not earn minutes commensurate with his fee, Eustace will have to decide by January whether to keep faith, loan him out or sell, as Derby cannot afford his value to diminish further.