Is this the best Derby County XI after the January transfer window? Sam Szmodics doesn't feature | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at John Eustace's best starting XI following a successful January transfer window.

Derby County strengthened greatly during the January transfer window, and John Eustace will be extremely pleased with how his squad looks heading into the final few months of the 2025/26 campaign.

12 months ago, the Rams were staring down the barrel of relegation, but the arrival of their head coach from Blackburn Rovers proved to be the difference-maker and he kept the club up on the final day of the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Stoke City.

Now, following four new arrivals and the permanent signing of Dion Sanderson following a successful loan spell from Birmingham City, there is great hope of a play-off finish at Pride Park.

Football League World has taken a look at the best starting XI that Eustace has at his disposal after the January transfer window.

GK - Jacob Widell Zetterstrom

Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has been incredible this season, and without his shot-stopping, the Rams would certainly not be challenging for a top six finish.

The 27-year-old has suffered from illness recently, but when fully fit, he is up there as one of the best goalkeepers in the entire Championship and is easily Eustace's number one.

RB - Joe Ward

A toss-up between Joe Ward and Max Johnston, we've gone with the man who has been one of the most dangerous full-backs in the division this season to take on responsibility at right-back for Derby.

While his defensive work does leave a little to be desired at times, Ward has been spectacular during Johnston's period out injured and he will be keen to keep his spot once the Scotland international returns to the squad.

CB - Sondre Langas

Sondre Langas is out for the next two months with a hamstring injury, but once he returns, there is no denying that he will be straight back into the starting XI at Derby.

Signed for a reported £4m from Norwegian club Viking in January 2025, the defender has made a crucial impact at Pride Park and his performances at the back have made a huge difference to the Rams' season - while he has also pitched in with a few goals.

CB - Matt Clarke

Last January, Football League World exclusively revealed that Derby were in pole position to sign Matt Clarke from Middlesbrough. An incredible second-half of the campaign saw the centre-back sign a long-term deal at Pride Park, and he has been a regular for Eustace ever since.

Although at times the 28-year-old has been a little off-kilter, on his day, there are few better in the Championship in this position and there is no questioning his place in Eustace's starting XI.

LB - Derry Murkin

Derry Murkin was the fourth signing of the winter transfer window for Derby, and the left-back will be looking to make his mark in the Championship, as he departed Dutch club FC Utrecht for the Rams on deadline day.

The 26-year-old, who is from England, looks the real deal and will be looking to take over from the excellent Callum Elder at full-back and with impressive showings both going forward and defensively for his former club, this is a truly exciting arrival.

DM - Lewis Travis

Derby's captain Lewis Travis spent a considerable portion of this season in the treatment room at Pride Park, but now he is back and looking better than ever before, with Eustace trusting him in the middle of the park.

A battle-hardened leader, the Rams have an excellent captain and their number 27 will be vital to his side's chances of a play-off finish, especially after Ebou Adams' £500k sale to Portsmouth.

DM - David Ozoh

Last season was incredibly frustrating for David Ozoh, with two long-term injuries denying him the chance of making any real impact at Pride Park. While those problems have threatened his loan spell once again, he has shown recently why he was brought back to DE24.

Just like Travis, Ozoh is a battling, tough midfield player who can break up play incredibly easily. However, he also has the skills to bring the ball forward and he is proving his talent in the middle of the park under Eustace.

AM - Bobby Clark

Another incredibly tough choice for those in the dugout at Pride Park, but Bobby Clark has demonstrated all the class and maturity needed to keep his place in the starting XI for Derby and, arguably, there is nobody in greater form in the East Midlands than the 20-year-old right now.

The RB Salzburg loanee has started to add goals to his game over the last few weeks, and while Sammie Szmodics will be keen on taking his place in the team, it is up to the 30-year-old to work out a way to get Clark out of the attacking midfield position right now.

RW - Ben Brereton Diaz

At the end of December, few would have expected Ben Brereton Diaz to be in the position that he is currently in. However, an incredible start to 2026 has seen the Chile international become almost untouchable in his wide position for the Rams.

A player who needs confidence to get the best out of himself, it was a tough start to life at Pride Park for Brereton Diaz, but he is now showing the reason why Eustace brought him in on loan from Southampton and he has been vital to the club's play-off push.

LW - Patrick Agyemang

USA international forward Patrick Agyemang has been quite the hit at Derby this season, with the 25-year-old taking on the role of talisman during Carlton Morris' time out injured.

While he has not found quite as much success in the centre-forward position, there is perhaps nobody more dangerous in the Championship on the left-wing than Agyemang, and he causes defenders plenty of problems when he finds space on that side. Supporters surely can't wait until Morris returns to play alongside their US superstar.