Derby County Must Pull Out All the Stops to Land “Outstanding” Nat Phillips
John Eustace isn’t just planning for the Championship—he’s plotting a revolution at Pride Park. And at the heart of that transformation is one mission-critical move: signing Nat Phillips permanently.
The former Liverpool defender was nothing short of a rock during Derby County’s League One triumph. Commanding in the air, calm under pressure, and a true leader at the back, Phillips didn’t just plug a gap—he elevated the entire defensive line. When he powered in a decisive goal against Hull City in April, fans weren’t just celebrating three points—they were witnessing the rise of a cult hero in black and white.
Eustace knew it then and he knows it now: this is a player who must be part of Derby’s next chapter.
But the clock is ticking. Phillips’ performances haven’t gone unnoticed, and interest from Championship rivals—and possibly beyond—means Derby need to act fast, decisively, and ambitiously. This is not the time for hesitation.
And this summer is not business as usual at Derby. The departure of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing to MK Dons marks the beginning of a bold new era. Sentimentality is being replaced with a razor-sharp vision for the future. Eustace is determined to shape a squad capable of not just surviving the Championship grind, but shaking it to its core.
Defensively, the Rams already boast a formidable trio—but Eustace isn’t settling. Craig Dawson, a seasoned Premier League veteran, is also in the mix. If Derby land both Dawson *and* Phillips, it would send a thunderous message across the division: Derby are back, and they mean business.
But it doesn’t stop there. Reinforcements are expected across the pitch, with a new striker high on the agenda. Derby need firepower, flair, and finishers. The promotion was just the first step—now comes the real battle.
Bringing Nat Phillips to Pride Park permanently would be a seismic start to the window. It would be more than a signing—it would be a statement. One that says Derby County are not here to make up the numbers. They’re here to make noise.
Analysis:
This marks a clear evolution for Derby. The club appears to be balancing loyalty to players who helped them achieve promotion with the need to upgrade for the rigors of the Championship. Eustace is targeting experience (Phillips, Dawson) and aiming to build from the back, which is a logical approach given the step up in quality.
The key now will be speed and decisiveness in the transfer market, especially for Phillips, as interest from other Championship clubs could complicate matter
