Derby County have hit the buffers with £3.5m transfer blunder - John Eustace must act | OneFootball

Max Johnston has failed to have the desired impact at Derby County since joining the club for £3.5m last summer

Derby County have not had the start to the 2026/27 campaign as they would have desired, as head coach John Eustace will be hoping to use the three-week international break to his advantage to turn the Rams' season around.

Heading into the international break, Derby supporters will be, at best, disenchanted with their club's start to the Championship season, winning just one of their opening eight league games and occupying a place in the bottom three.

The summer transfer window was full of ups and downs, but on the whole, Eustace will likely have been pleased with the business he was able to complete, as the likes of Bobby Clark, Sammie Szmodics, Alex Mowatt, and David Ozoh all joined the club permanently.

The Rams were more reserved in their summer business this time around in comparison to last season, where Eustace oversaw a large overhaul of the squad, as some players have had more of an impact than others.

Derby County signed Max Johnston for £3.5 million from Sturm Graz in the summer of 2025

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In what was Eustace's first summer window in charge of Derby, the likes of Patrick Agyemang, Lewis Travis, Rhian Brewster, Carlton Morris, and Max Johnston each headed to Pride Park.

Johnston, 22, was the second most expensive incoming behind Agyemang, joining the Rams in a deal that could be worth a reported £3.5 million from Austrian side Sturm Graz, with an initial fee of £2.2 million paid.

The Middlesbrough-born Scottish international, who began his career with Motherwell, had starred in Austria for the previous two years before making his return to the United Kingdom, and upon his arrival, he appeared to have a clear role.

Why Derby County signed Max Johnston

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Under Eustace, Derby more often than not tended to use a shape consisting of the prioritisation of wing-backs, and upon Johnston's arrival, it was hoped the Scot would nail down a spot at right wing-back.

However, after starting the season in his favoured position, Johnston was struck down by a hamstring injury, and then a calf injury, in which he suffered further setbacks which, in total, ruled him out for a huge portion of the season.

Joe Ward and Ryan Nyambe deputised at right wing-back in his absence, and whilst Ward impressed, had Johnston been fit and available, Derby may well have snuck into the play-offs.

With Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League experience under his belt, as well as being a fully-fledged Scottish international, it's not hard to understand why the Rams signed Johnston, but so far, they are yet to see a return on their investment.

Max Johnston has failed to have the desired impact at Derby County

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Whilst injuries have certainly not helped his case, Johnston is yet to display his worth to those at Derby, and even this season, the Scot has found himself behind each of Ward, Nyambe, Dion Sanderson, and Sondre Langås in the pecking order.

The Scot has started just two of Derby's eight league games so far despite being available for each and every one, with his second start coming at home to Swansea City, in which he was replaced at half-time in a 3-0 defeat.

With his first year at the club being interrupted by injuries, the beginning of his second has seen him fall out of favour under Eustace despite his availability, as Johnston has yet to prove he was worth the £3.5 million investment; though still just 22, time is on his side, but things must turn around for him sooner rather than later.

John Eustace must make a big decision regarding the future of Max Johnston before too long

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If Eustace continues to leave Johnston out, before too long, a decision must be made regarding the defender's future at the club.

Either the former Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City boss begins to trust Johnston to perform, or he allows him to leave, either on loan or permanently, as Derby cannot afford for his value to diminish.

By January, if Johnston hasn't received the minutes his fee warrants, an exit seems a likely option, as Eustace must make a decision on the right-back sooner rather than later.