Derby County should seal emotional Crystal Palace transfer on one condition | OneFootball

If Derby County seal promotion to the Premier League this season, they should move for former midfielder Will Hughes

Derby County have their sights set on the Premier League, and John Eustace should seal an emotional return for a former fan favourite at Pride Park if they indeed find themselves in the top flight next campaign.

A busy summer at Derby has culminated in the Rams remaining well in the play-off picture in the latter stages of the season, with a return to the top flight for the first time since 2008 well and truly on the cards.

Indeed, last time in England's top division didn't end too well for the club, accumulating just one win and 11 points all season, and still to this holding the record for the lowest-ever points tally the league has ever seen in its modern form.

Since then, the Rams have threatened a return on numerous occasions, coming closest in both 2014 and 2019, losing in the play-off final at Wembley on both occasions.

Now, under the leadership of former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers boss Eustace, the Rams stand a real chance of a return to the top flight this campaign.

Another summer overhaul would be necessary to prepare the club for the trials and tribulations of Premier League football, and they should look to bring back a certain former fan favourite this summer in the event of promotion.

Derby County should attempt to lure Will Hughes back to Derby County this summer if promotion is achieved

Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes first made a name for himself with Derby, and in the event that they do find themselves in the top flight next season, Eustace should make a move to bring him back to his boyhood club.

Hughes will be 31 by the end of this season, and under Oliver Glasner, he has seen his game time slowly decrease this year, limited to just 14 starts in the top flight, with Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, and Jefferson Lerma as competition in the middle of the park.

The Englishman made 187 appearances across all competitions for Derby before sealing an £8 million move to Premier League side Watford in the summer of 2017, where he would become a valued and steady component of the Hornets’ midfield across the next four years.

Palace would prise him away from Vicarage Road in the summer of 2021 for around £6 million, where he has continued to be a steady option in the middle of the park.

The 30-year-old appeared heavily for the Eagles last season on their way to FA Cup glory, and has continued to feature for them regularly this season in both the Premier League and Europe, albeit more often than not from the bench.

Under contract at Selhurst Park until 2027, and with Glasner likely to leave the club this summer, should the new manager that comes in not fancy Hughes, he could well be on his way out before the expiry of his deal.

In the event of an exit, Derby could be the perfect destination for the midfielder, whose return to the place where it all started could be the perfect storm for everyone involved.

John Eustace must convince Will Hughes to return to Derby County

If Derby remains in the Championship next season, convincing Hughes to take a step down and a wage cut at this point in his career is unlikely.

In any instance, he’d likely be one of the highest, if not the top earners at Derby, should he return to his boyhood club.

Indeed, the midfielder watched on as Derby defeated Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, with his love for the club still evident, as is the fans’ love towards him.

Eustace has the opportunity to facilitate an emotional return to Derby for Hughes, and sealing promotion would only serve to strengthen the likelihood of any move happening.