3 things AI think will happen to Derby County if John Textor seals Rams takeover from David Clowes | OneFootball

The American has now got his sights firmly set on the East Midlands outfit

John Textor's name has been making headlines in the world of English football ownership for the vast majority of 2025, with the American proving an extremely divisive figure.

The 60-year-old was part of Crystal Palace's hierarchy during their FA Cup-winning season last term, with a Wembley Stadium success over strong favourites, Manchester City, subsequently seeing the Eagles venture into European football for the first time in their lengthy history.

However, Textor would eventually sell his 43 percent stake to New York Jets chairman, Woody Johnson, on July 24th, with the South London side embroiled in controversy before being demoted to the UEFA Conference League instead of the UEFA Europa League due to his involvement with French Ligue 1 giants, Lyon, who qualified for the exact same competition.

Since then, the businessman has constantly been the subject of a potential takeover at the Championship's current crisis club, Sheffield Wednesday, with the Owls recently being placed into administration by controversial former owner, Dejphon Chansiri, on October 24th.

In the meantime, Textor reportedly also had his eyes on the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, Queens Park Rangers and Watford.

However, in the past week or so, he appears to have his sights firmly set on a takeover at Derby County, who have been in the hands of local entrepreneur, David Clowes, since a £33m takeover saw the Rams come out of administration in the summer of 2022 ahead of the first of two seasons in League One.

At present, John Eustace's side are on the periphery of the play-offs after an extremely active summer transfer window, whilst the Derbyshire-born figure looks for external investment behind-the-scenes.

But, with Textor reportedly eyeing a full takeover at a £60m cost, Football League World asked AI-based chatbot, ChatGPT, to predict three situations which would occur at Pride Park should a deal be completed.

Derby County predicted to challenge for promotion in the short-term under John Textor

Given the aforementioned activity in Eustace's first transfer window in DE24 following his February appointment, which included the £7.3m acquisition of USMNT forward, Patrick Agyemang, AI believes an even greater sum of funds would be made available in the transfer market for the former Birmingham City boss.

Textor could also make several infrastructural changes in this part of the East Midlands according to the algorithm, which includes upgrades to training and academy facilities at Moor Farm.

The Rams have failed to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League since their Championship play-off final defeat to Aston Villa in May 2019, before Mel Morris' tenure as owner reached a disastrous conclusion two years later.

With the second-tier currently as wide-open as ever, such a predicament cannot be entirely ruled out, particularly with the Rams winning five out of their past six outings.

John Textor's multi-club associations could provide instability in the long run at Pride Park

AI's second prediction is one of slight concern in relation to Textor's multi-club umbrella, with clubs such as Lyon and Botafogo coming under the umbrella of Eagle Holdings Limited.

According to a report from the Guardian in November 2024, the aforementioned empire had a valuation of £1.47bn.

Such a prediction also somewhat align with the plans which Textor already has in place, according to a recent report from journalist, Alan Nixon.

The current Botafogo chairman is said to be looking at the prospect of adding Jose Kadir Barria and Jordan Barrera to Eustace's squad in the upcoming January transfer window, albeit it remains to be seen if such events are to transpire.

There are a handful of multi-club umbrellas which have yielded mixed results, with the likes of Chelsea having associations with clubs such as Vitesse Arnhem and, currently, RC Strasbourg under different ownership regimes, as well as Manchester City, who are a part of the 'City Football Group' which also involves the likes of Girona and Melbourne City.

Derby County's identity could be redefined under John Textor's ownership

A final, yet intriguing claim by AI is that the Rams' identity could be redifined under the American.

Of course, English clubs are known for adhering to strong values and cultures which stem from within the local community and the history of the club, with the Rams known for being industrious and hard-working in relation to the city's heritage.

Understandably, Textor would have his own plans as to how to make the club an attractive proposition when it comes to striking sponsorship deals which, in turn, increase the volume of funds which Derby would be able to spend on new transfers.

However, there is always an element of risk and uncertainty, as previously demonstrated by the likes of Hull City, whose former owners, the Allams, wished to rebrand the club to 'Hull Tigers', whilst Cardiff City chairman, Vincent Tan, altered the club's badge and colours to red between 2012 and 2014, keeping with Far-eastern traditions rather than that of the South Wales side.