Derby County backed to avoid letting 26-year-old leave for £0 | OneFootball

Rhian Brewster's immediate future has become a hot topic of discussion in DE24

Derby County have endured an extremely poor first eight games of the 2026/27 Championship season, which has now entered its first international break.

Having finished on the periphery of the play-offs last season in John Eustace's first full term at Pride Park, there was hope from Rams supporters that their side would be able to kick on and make a sustained run for the post-season lottery this time around.

However, they currently sit inside the Championship's relegation zone ahead of Preston North End and Burnley, having accrued just five points from the first 24 available.

There have been factors, such as a plethora of injuries to key first-team stars, which have negatively contributed to the club's slow start, but that hasn't stopped the pressure from mounting on Eustace's shoulders, and it could get worse if his side don't turn the tide the other side of the current three-week fixture break.

However, whilst they were unable to defeat the winless Clarets at Turf Moor, summer recruit, Mohammed Fuseini, was able to salvage a last-gasp draw with a low shot after being sent free by Rhian Brewster.

The latter is one of several players out-of-contract in DE24 next June, which has made his immediate future a hot topic of discussion.

Derby County sent clear Rhian Brewster demand after Burnley flashpoint

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Brewster, 26, was recruited by Derby last summer on a free transfer having left Sheffield United in the wake of their play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

However, following on from his mixed career so far, the forward's first campaign at Pride Park was somewhat plagued by injury, as he made just 29 Championship games but was still able to net seven goals.

He has only started twice so far in the league this season, but 15 minutes after replacing David Ozoh in East Lancashire on Saturday, set Fuseini in motion for the dramatic equaliser, reminding supporters what he is capable of producing.

Asked whether Brewster should have his contract extended next summer if he builds on such exploits, Football League World's Derby County fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, said: “I like Rhian Brewster. He showed last season when he was fit, he can be a really good player at this level, and that's the biggest thing though, ‘when he's fit’.

"I don't know the stats on his career at Derby so far, but he’s spent so much of his time on the sidelines with injuries, which is a real shame.

“If we could get 20, 30 games out of him, he could be a really good player for us, as he showed when he came on against Burnley. He set up the equaliser," he added.

“I don't think people fully appreciate how good that ball was in the circumstances with the pressure on. He played a really good ball into Fuseini.

“He was heavily involved there and if he can stay fit, I would definitely be looking to give him a new contract because he's more than capable at this level.”

Derby County fans are full of praise for Rhian Brewster after Burnley assist

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Woodward, unsurprisingly, wasn't the only supporter to compliment the one-time Liverpool man for his impact in the latter stages of Saturday's game, which could prove to be a turning point.

"Brewster were quality when he came on," wrote another Rams fan on X.

"Thought Brewster looked way better in the 10 than (Sammie) Szmodics," was another assessment of his impact.

"(Oscar) Fraulo and Brewster changed that game, have to start next game," stated another supporter.

"Fuseini will get the plaudits, but that pass from Brewster makes it. Wraps his foot around it, with pace, into his path. The team doesn’t do enough of that," claimed yet another impressed Derby fan.

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Brewster, of course, began his career with such high potential, even moving to Sheffield United for as much as £23.5m from Liverpool in 2020, although he never could quite live up to such a valuation at Bramall Lane for various reasons.

During his time in the East Midlands, which, of course, has been hindered by injuries, the versatile forward has still come to his side's aid on a select number of occasions, none more so than Saturday where his composure and weight of pass led to Fuseini's own fine effort.

As such, the London-born man will hope to continue proving his worth in the coming weeks in order to give Eustace and owner, David Clowes, a big decision to make regarding the potential for an extended contract.