Derby County have struck gold with bargain transfer - John Eustace's hand has been forced | OneFootball

Oscar Fraulo has shown flashes of brilliance at Derby County since joining the club, now he must start for the Rams.

Derby County have been poor at home this season in the Championship, and following their 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon, they have now won just four of their 16 games at Pride Park in 2025/26.

Only four other sides in the second tier have a home record worse than the Rams, but they have the chance to put things right this weekend as Swansea City make the trip to the East Midlands on Valentine's Day.

John Eustace will be without Lewis Travis after he was sent off against the Tractor Boys in the dying moments of the loss, and therefore it will be a chance for those a little further down the pecking order to make their mark in training over the next few days.

One of those is Oscar Fraulo, who has been used as a substitute since joining Derby in the January transfer window, and after impressing from off the bench, this is his chance to make his mark in the starting XI. For Travis, he may be watching on nervously as his position could be at risk.

Oscar Fraulo could be a star for Derby County, he only cost the Rams £200k

The Danish midfielder had been a long-term target for the Rams, and supporters first heard his name mentioned in regards to a move to Pride Park in January 2025. While it would take another 12 months before he did make his way to England, he is showing positive signs already.

Signed from German club Borussia Mönchengladbach, Fraulo came for a relatively cheap fee. Derby spent just £200k on the midfielder, according to The Telegraph, signing a three-and-a-half year deal. He made his debut against Leeds United in the FA Cup, but he is yet to start in the Championship.

The 22-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance despite his limited minutes, and with Travis now suspended for Swansea's visit this weekend, this is the ex-Utrecht man's opportunity to show Eustace that he must be given more chances on the pitch.

Fraulo has an eye for creativity, and while he may not have the tackling power of David Ozoh or the leadership levels of Travis, he is someone who can help link up the defence to the attack and he could be the perfect man to fill in while the captain is out.

Oscar Fraulo has the potential to bring Derby County great profit in the future

Since David Clowes' arrival at Derby in July 2022, the club has been transformed and gone are the days of spending significant transfer fees on players who do not have any sell-on value at the end of their careers at Pride Park.

Fraulo was brought to the Rams for a nominal fee, and at just 22, he has the chance to develop and grow as a footballer and eventually bring great profit to the Championship side. However, he must also get the game time needed to prove himself at this level, otherwise it could prove to be a wasted move.

Derby have limited midfield options for next season, with both Bobby Clark and Ozoh returning to RB Salzburg and Crystal Palace respectively once their loan spells come to an end. Therefore, having the Dane settling in during the second-half of this campaign is the perfect way for him to prepare for 2026/27.

Eustace has the next few months to work out the best way to utilise Fraulo, and this is perhaps why he has had to wait for his first start. However, with Travis set to miss this weekend, supporters may get a sight of the future in DE24.