Dean Saunders revealed a surprise name when discussing his former club in an interview with football fans.
The championship has always been a highly competitive league and, given the shocking money winning clubs by simply participating in the Premier League, it has become increasingly difficult for teams that have struggled to play in top flight for some time.
However, there are some recent success stories that prove the possibility of a smaller budget, with Luton winning Coventry City in the 2022-23 play-off final, while Ipswich Town received an automatic promotion in the 2023-24 season.
Of course, people like Leicester City and Southampton are likely to be one of the favorites of next season, both returning to top flight immediately after relegation in recent years, but Sanders believes another team can go along the way.
Indeed, specifically Football fans In partnership with Newbettings.uk, the former Derby County man named his former club as a promotion candidate, given his highly rated manager John Eustace is now in charge with the Rams.
“The derby still attracts a crowd of 30,000 and they’re a big club. I loved it when I was there. They signed some great players and hopefully they can inject money into John Eustace. He’s obviously a talented manager and he seems to do a great job wherever he goes.
“He unfortunately lost his job in Birmingham and then I had no idea what happened to Blackburn, and that suddenly ended, he left, maybe he promised something he didn’t get, he went to the derby, which was a good move for him.
“Because if he lets them go now, this year, they will be back in the Premier League.”
Given their recent spending of their first season in the league, the Rams’ promotion next season is a bold claim, while also avoiding last year’s championship relegation, but they can go along the way.
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Derby County took a step forward to reunite John Eustace with the players he had previously worked with.
The lack of goals was a real problem with Eustace’s side last season, winning just 48 times in the league, the manager brought three new forwards who guaranteed the goal, both Carlton Morris and Andreas Weimann were experienced at the championship level.
|
New signature |
The champion appears |
Target |
Assist |
|
Morris |
145 |
42 |
14 |
|
Weiman |
368 |
74 |
42 |
The Derby also introduced Patrick Agyemang for over £7m, proving that that means what they mean, who attracted the MLS during the 2025 campaign, scoring six goals and one assist in 16 games.
Experienced defender Danny Batth was also brought to Eustace’s defensive choice, and Saunders’ bold predictions are likely to get the money.
