Derby County: John Eustace's Burnley transfer blow is a 'shame' | OneFootball

Jaydon Banel enjoyed a positive loan spell with Derby County, but he is likely to be part of Burnley's plans next season.

Derby County enjoyed a positive season under John Eustace, even if they missed out on a top six finish on the final day.

Whilst the Rams failed to make the play-offs, there’s no denying the progress they are making under John Eustace, and, if further investment arrives in the form of Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh, Derby could be a real force next season.

Either way, the extended format means promotion will be the dream for the East Midlands outfit, although it’s clear that Eustace and the recruitment team need to address certain issues going into the window.

Derby County are unlikely to bring Jaydon Banel back after Burnley’s relegation

In attack, the Rams will have to do without Jaydon Banel, with the quick winger having arrived at Pride Park from Burnley in January.

The 21-year-old came through the ranks at Ajax, but he made just six appearances for the Amsterdam giants, whilst his only league outing for Burnley came from the bench.

So, Derby fans didn’t really know what to expect from Banel, but, after taking time to find his feet, he became a huge player for Eustace in the run-in, scoring three goals in his final six games, as well as impressing with his pace and direct style.

With the Clarets having suffered relegation, the chances of Banel returning to the Rams appear slim, with club director Paul Jenkins recently confirming that the gifted wide-man will be in the first-team plans at Turf Moor next time out.

When asked by FLW about whether he would like to see the winger return, Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward made it clear he would have ‘loved’ it to happen, although he understands why it’s not on the cards.

“I would have loved to have seen Banel come back to Derby, but I completely understand why Burnley want to keep him.

“They obviously sent him out on loan when they were in the Premier League to see what he was made of, and he absolutely flourished in the latter part of the season for us. He scored our goal of the season, and at the most crucial moment of the season, he showed he could produce when it really matters.

“Obviously, Burnley have seen that, so why would they want to give him to a potential promotion rival? I would have loved him to come back, but it was always unlikely after they got relegated. The only way we would’ve realistically kept him was if they had stayed up, or we had won promotion, and he could’ve then forced a move.

“But, that didn’t happen, so I wish him all the best moving forward, because he is a cracking little player, and it’s a shame we’re not going to see him playing for the Rams next season.”

Jaydon Banel could become a key player in Burnley’s promotion push

Banel’s loan to Derby will have gone exactly how Burnley wanted, as he managed to show his quality, and he will have learnt a lot over the past few months under Eustace.

As mentioned, he didn’t hit the ground running straight away, but, to his credit, Banel stuck at it, and he made some huge contributions for Derby in the final part of the campaign.

There’s a lot of uncertainty at Turf Moor right now, and their immediate priority is appointing a new head coach, so we can’t say for certain that Banel will be in the plans of the next boss, but it would be a major surprise if he wasn’t.

The way he carries the ball, his energy and his ability to beat players is very impressive, and, at 21, it will be exciting for Burnley to see how he progresses.

Of course, if there is a chance that he becomes available, you would expect Derby to be in the mix for his signature, but, most would agree that a return isn’t going to happen, and all connected to the Rams will wish Banel well in the future.