Derby County man deemed 'not good enough' - John Eustace backed to sign 'a bit more quality' | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County fan pundit shares their thoughts on Norwegian forward Lars-Jorgen Salvesen

With one game to go, Derby County could sneak into the final play-off spot by the skin of their teeth, with John Eustace's side requiring victory on the final day at home to Sheffield United, whilst results elsewhere must also go their way.

The end of an enthralling season at Pride Park is almost upon us, with Derby still possessing the chance to break into the top six on the final day against the odds.

In truth, their form of just one win in ten games to begin the campaign has hindered their push for the play-offs for much of this year, but Eustace's side refuses to give up, and heads into the final day with a shot of breaking into the top six.

They would require both Wrexham and Hull City to drop points elsewhere and beat Sheffield United, a scenario which isn't totally out of the realms of possibility, as their plans for the summer window are, at the moment, on hold, as they await their fate.

In any case, it almost surely won't be as busy a summer at Pride Park as the last one, yet there are bound to be some incomings and outgoings, with one particular forward potentially heading out the exit door.

Lars-Jorgen Salvesen could leave Derby County this summer after a severe lack of minutes

Norwegian striker Lars-Jorgen Salvesen was signed from Viking in January 2025 for around £800k, yet has failed to make the desired impact since his move to the Rams.

Salvesen had only ever previously played in Norway, with the then-28-year-old moving abroad for the first time in his career after finishing his division's joint top scorer the previous campaign.

However, this season has seen the towering striker manage less than 500 minutes across 30 league appearances, with three goals and two assists in that period, as Football League World's Derby fan pundit, Shaun, shares their thoughts on his current situation with the club.

Shaun said: "Salvesen is a very good team player. He's got a good attitude, good work rate, and it looks like he gets on really well with all his teammates. But on the pitch, he's not good enough for Derby, if we're being totally honest.

"He's come on here and there, and he's not really had much of an impact on the game. A couple of times recently, he's come on, and he's had some great chances, but he just doesn't look like he's quite good enough at the top end of the Championship.

"I think he's given his all for the club, and as I say, he's got a great attitude, but I do think if we're looking to push on to the next level, then we need to be bringing in players of a bit more quality.

"Most of the players that we've brought in from abroad have worked out. There's always going to be one or two that don't. And unfortunately, it's not worked out for him. I'm not saying he's one of the worst we've ever brought, but he's not going to get into our starting 11. And when we have a lot of players come back into the squad who are injured at the moment, he probably wouldn't be making our bench.

"So I think for him, the best thing he can do is move on and go and get first-team football elsewhere. But I can't knock the lad for his attitude and his commitment to the club. I just don't think he's quite good enough."

John Eustace's summer transfer window with Derby is uncertain as things stand

With Derby's fate yet to be decided, any plans for the summer transfer window will be, at the moment, on hold.

Should the Rams seal a Premier League return for the first time in nearly two decades, then their summer plans would take a significant twist, being able to attract more high-calibre players.

However, should they remain in the Championship, Eustace will be preparing to go once again and improve on this campaign by targeting one of the automatic promotion spots.

Though in any case, Salvesen almost certainly won't be a part of Eustace's plans at Derby next season, and looks increasingly likely to leave given his lack of minutes.