John Eustace must seal emotional Derby County reunion | OneFootball

Derby County should look to re-sign Eiran Cashin this summer after his impressive loan spell with Blackburn Rovers

Derby County will be hoping to go one better next season, having just missed out on a place in the play-offs this time around, and as John Eustace prepares for the summer window ahead, he must consider striking an agreement with Brighton to secure the reunion of a former Rams star.

Heading into the 2025/26 campaign, Derby fans were hoping for a big improvement on the season they had just endured, narrowly surviving relegation on the final day with a goalless draw at home to Stoke City.

Under head coach John Eustace, the Rams brought in the likes of Lewis Travis, Patrick Agyemang, Max Johnston, and Rhian Brewster on permanent deals, whilst the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz, Bobby Clark, and David Ozoh joined on loan.

However, after the first ten league games, alarm bells were ringing, as Derby won just one of their opening ten, with Eustace under pressure.

The former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers boss would eventually turn their season around, and heading into the final game of the season, they withstood a chance of sneaking into the play-offs.

A 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United, whilst Hull City defeated Norwich City, meant another year in the second tier was confirmed, and as the Rams look to go one better next time around, Eustace should look to sanction the return of a former star to bolster their defence.

Derby County should look to re-sign Eiran Cashin from Brighton

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With Derby releasing their retained list, they announced the departure of Australian left-back Callum Elder, and heading into the summer window, they may look to find a replacement in that area.

Derry Murkin joined from Dutch side FC Utrecht in the January window to give Eustace another option at left-back, and will likely head into next campaign as Eustace's first-choice option in that position over the ageing Craig Forsyth.

Forsyth is due to enter his 15th consecutive season at Pride Park after joining in the summer of 2013 from Watford, with the 37-year-old Scot gradually seeing his game time decrease year-on-year.

With that in mind, Eustace should be looking to bring in another left-back option this summer, also capable of playing centre-back to provide competition for Matt Clarke, Dion Sanderson, Danny Batth, and Sondre Langas, and should look to make that signing Brighton and Hove Albion's Eiran Cashin.

Cashin, 24, came through the ranks at Derby and made 144 appearances for the club across all competitions before making the move to Premier League outfit Brighton in January 2025 on deadline day.

The Irishman played just 19 minutes of top-flight football for the Seagulls in two appearances across his first six months at the Amex, and was subsequently allowed to join Birmingham City on loan last summer.

However, his time at St Andrews didn't go to plan, unable to dislodge either Christoph Klarer, Phil Neumann, or Jack Robinson at centre-back, whilst Alex Cochrane was often preferred at left-back, limiting him to just 11 appearances.

He'd head back to Brighton in January, before heading back out on loan once more, this time to Blackburn Rovers, where he quickly established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet in the heart of defence under Michael O'Neill, making 18 league appearances and playing a crucial role in their survival.

Brighton are unlikely to make Cashin a key part of their plans next season, and another exit this summer ought to be on the cards, as Derby should be one of the first in line in case of that scenario.

The Irish defender enjoyed an excellent spell with Derby previously, and the fans still have a great affinity towards him.

As another option in defence, capable of playing left-back or centre-back in a back three or four, Cashin would be an incredible signing for Derby this summer, and certainly one Rams fans could get on board with.

John Eustace can galvanise the Derby County fanbase with the addition of Eiran Cashin

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Eustace has made a habit of signing former players before, and although he and Cashin have yet to cross paths, he will be well aware of his history with the Rams and will be well aware of his performances on loan at Blackburn.

The Irish defender will likely be available this summer for either a loan or permanent deal, and Derby must ensure they can get a deal for him over the line by any means necessary.

Displacing Clarke on the left side of defence will be a tough job, with the former Pompey star having shone under Eustace this campaign, but strength and depth is a good problem to have, and Eustace would almost certainly welcome the addition of Cashin, as would the Rams faithful.