Derby County may laugh at Sheffield United situation after John Eustace transfer blow | OneFootball

Ben Brereton-Diaz has failed to set the world alight at Sheffield United since returning to Bramall Lane and rejecting Derby County

Derby County head into the international break having won just one of their opening eight league games, and though fans are yet to fully turn on head coach John Eustace, the warning signs are there, especially having missed out on one of the primary summer targets to a division rival.

Mohammed Fuseini rescued a draw for Derby in their final game before the international break away at Burnley with a late strike on the counter-attack, but despite this, the Rams occupy one of the three relegation places alongside the Clarets and Preston North End.

Whilst the Rams avoided losing any of their key personnel and brought back each of Sammie Szmodics, Bobby Clark, and David Ozoh to Pride Park, it still proved to be a tricky window for the club.

The failed takeover of Turki Alalshikh certainly disrupted transfer plans, and had that gone through, then there is the possibility the club would be looking ahead of themselves instead of over their shoulders at this stage.

Whilst Eustace will be glad to have confirmed the returns of Szmodics, Clark, and Ozoh on permanent deals, the Rams missed out on one of their key summer targets to a division rival, but as things stand, the 46-year-old likely won't be too bothered.

Derby County were interested in re-signing Ben Brereton Diaz this summer alongside Stoke City and Sheffield United

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Before last season even ended, Eustace made his intentions to bring back his loan cohort clear, saying: "Obviously I've spoken to all the players. They love playing for Derby, they love being here. From that point of view, I think they'd all love to stay but everything else is out of my hands."

The likes of Clark, Szmodics, Ozoh, Jaydon Banel, and Ben Brereton Diaz were all crucial parts of Derby's squad last season, and each one of them, aside from Banel, seemed in reach.

The three former players would re-sign, and late in the window, Derby made their interest in Brereton Diaz known, with the Chilean remaining out of favour at Southampton.

Stoke City would also launch a loan bid for their former academy product, but as it happened, the 27-year-old would opt to return to Sheffield United on loan, delivering a crushing blow to the Rams and Potters.

Ben Brereton Diaz would snub Derby County and Stoke City offers in favour of Sheffield United return

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Despite being allowed to use Derby's Moor Farm to aid the rehabilitation of his knee after undergoing surgery, Brereton Diaz decided to reject a return to the Rams for a third loan spell at Sheffield United.

The 42-capped Chilean international scored seven and assisted three in 40 Championship games with the Rams last season, and it had appeared as though Derby were the favourites to win the race for his signature.

Having grown up supporting Stoke, the Potters may also have expected to be serious contenders to win the race. However, it would be Chris Wilder's side who would add the former Blackburn Rovers star to their ranks, much to the initial dismay of supporters of rival clubs.

Ben Brereton Diaz has struggled since returning to Sheffield United on loan from Southampton

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Upon his return to South Yorkshire, Brereton Diaz was thrust straight into the action, making his first appearance for the Blades in his third spell in a 2-2 draw away to Cardiff City, coming on as a late substitute.

Since then, the Chilean has started the following six league games for the Blades, but has yet to register a single direct goal contribution, as Sheffield United head into the international break off the back of four defeats in their last five games across all competitions, including a 1-0 away loss at League Two Fleetwood Town in the League Cup.

Whilst Wilder will certainly be frustrated with his lack of impact upon his return, the 59-year-old has used him in numerous positions already, namely on the left flank of a 4-4-2, as a striker in the same shape, and as an attacking midfielder in a 3-4-2-1.

The Blades head coach must nail down a spot for Brereton Diaz ASAP to try and extract the best from him beyond the international break; otherwise, his job could be in serious trouble.

Derby County boss John Eustace may be laughing after Ben Brereton Diaz transfer snub

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Though Derby haven't exactly had the start to the season they would have been hoping for, Eustace will take solace in knowing Brereton Diaz isn't exactly having the best of times with Sheffield United either.

Of course, it would be remiss to suggest that Eustace would snub the chance to sign the Chilean right this very second given his summer efforts, though whether the Chilean's rejection has ruined that relationship remains to be seen.

Eustace has had little to cheer this season, but Brereton Diaz's struggles may be one of them.