Derby County & John Eustace eye Liverpool deal - Blackburn Rovers will look on with envy | OneFootball

The former Blackburn boss is looking at bringing yet another of his former Rovers players to his new job at Pride Park

Blackburn Rovers fans will probably be getting more and more frustrated seeing Derby County go about their business this summer transfer window.

The departure of former manager John Eustace to the Rams, despite Blackburn sitting 16 places above Derby in the Championship, still stings four months on, but now Eustace is looking at bringing some familiar faces over to Pride Park.

John Percy reported that veteran pairing Danny Batth and Andreas Weimann were set to reunite with Eustace as free agents following their contracts expiring at Ewood Park.

And now it's looking likely that Derby may secure the loan services of one of Liverpool's bright young stars, Owen Beck, who shone when fit under Eustace at Blackburn last season.

Owen Beck, Derby County talks will frustrate Blackburn fans even further

With Pete O'Rourke revealing that Derby are interested in Owen Beck, alongside both Wrexham and Rangers, you get the feeling that Beck's past working under Eustace will stand the Rams in good stead to bring the 22-year-old to Pride Park this summer.

Last season, Beck showed glimpses of quality under John Eustace, but ultimately his season was cut short due to an unfortunate hamstring injury.

There's no doubt that the Welshman can continue that under his former manager at Derby next season.

Beck does turn 23 in August and has made just three senior appearances for Liverpool, but the fact that Arne Slot wants to tie him down to a new contract before sending the full-back out on loan is an indication that he is still valued at one of the biggest clubs in the world.

So, if Derby can secure Beck for the season, they'll be bringing in one of the more exciting, second-tier-ready prospects a Championship side could sign this summer.

And if Eustace is one of the driving forces in making it happen, then Blackburn fans will look on with even more frustration, knowing that they have missed out.

Owen Beck would improve Derby County substantially

Despite making just 21 Championship starts last season, Owen Beck ranked in the top 20% of second-tier left-backs in successful dribbles and successful crosses.

That's no mean feat, especially in a division which included the likes of Junior Firpo and Harrison Burrows in his position. So, you'd get the feeling that, if allowed a full season, Beck could blossom into one of the more dangerous attacking full-backs in the league.

Under Eustace, Derby are likely not going to be involved in a relegation battle next season - we've seen as recently as last season that the 45-year-old can transform teams throughout one summer.

But with the signings that the Rams have either already made or are linked with doing, the chances of Derby being sucked into a scrap at the bottom are next to none.

Seasoned Championship goalscorer Carlton Morris has already made the switch from recently relegated Luton Town, and the Rams are also looking to make free transfer deals for Danny Batth and Andy Weimann.

And if Beck finds his way to playing under Eustace again for the 2025/26 term, then the former Blackburn boss is doing well to build a side which could comfortably finish mid-table, or even follow in last season's footsteps and make an unlikely top-six challenge.

It's safe to say, though, that if Blackburn fans have to sit and watch on as their former boss rises up and potentially passes them in the table next season, their envy will grow even further.