Derby County may come to rue their reluctance to open their purse strings and secure the services of a prolific EFL goal scorer who recently joined one of their Championship rivals.
As Derby swiftly gear up for the Championship season, there is optimism among supporters about the ongoing transfer activity. Manager Paul Warne has made a significant acquisition in the form of free agent Ben Osborn, who brings a valuable blend of experience and versatility to the squad. Additionally, the Rams have bolstered their attacking options by bringing in strikers Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates.
The necessity for Derby to enhance their goal-scoring capabilities became apparent after finishing the previous season as one of the lowest scoring teams among those in the top six positions.
However, doubts linger over the effectiveness of the forwards they have secured, with Jackson managing only six goals in 65 Championship appearances and Yates tallying just 31 goals in 152 matches at this level.
Derby County might rue their failure to secure the services of Macaulay Langstaff, a standout performer known for his scoring prowess in Notts County’s ranks. Reports suggested that Derby expressed interest in Langstaff during the January transfer window, but a deal failed to materialize, leaving the striker in League Two for the season. Langstaff made a significant impact in his debut EFL campaign, netting an impressive 28 goals and claiming the division’s top scorer title.
Termed “brilliant” by his former manager Luke Williams for his impressive scoring record, Langstaff attracted Championship attention in the summer transfer window. Despite Derby’s reported interest, it was Millwall who ultimately secured his signature for a modest fee of approximately £700,000. With an impressive 70 goals in 96 appearances for Notts County, Langstaff’s potential is likened to that of a rising star like Jamie Vardy.
Drawing parallels with Vardy’s career trajectory, Langstaff’s journey from non-league football to the Championship mirrors that of the Leicester City forward. If he emulates even a fraction of Vardy’s success—having clinched a Premier League title, Golden Boot award, and FA Cup triumph—Derby may well regret not pushing harder to secure the services of this promising EFL goal-scoring talent.
