Derby County May Have Avoided a Costly Mistake by Not Signing West Brom’s Mikey Johnston in the Summer Transfer Window
Derby County may have been fortunate not to complete a deal for West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston during the summer transfer window, despite reports suggesting that the Championship club were interested in bringing the attacker to Pride Park. Although the Rams were linked with a possible move for the 27-year-old, negotiations did not result in a transfer, and Johnston ultimately remained with West Bromwich Albion after the transfer deadline passed in early September.
With the benefit of hindsight, Derby’s failure to secure Johnston’s services may have worked in their favour, particularly given the player’s recent injury problems. The winger has been struggling with a knee injury, and West Brom confirmed on their official website last month that he would be unavailable for an extended period. Since there is still considerable uncertainty surrounding his return date, Derby may have avoided investing money in a player who would not have been available to contribute to their immediate needs.
Mikey Johnston’s Injury Problems Could Have Complicated Derby’s Plans
Johnston’s current situation raises questions about what might have happened had Derby County successfully completed their pursuit of him during the summer. The Rams were reportedly considering the Republic of Ireland international as a potential addition to strengthen their attacking options, but his injury setback could have made the transfer a disappointing investment.
The winger, who has earned 19 international caps for the Republic of Ireland, has made just one appearance for West Brom this season. That outing came in the Carabao Cup, meaning he has yet to establish himself as a regular contributor for the Baggies during the current campaign.
Johnston will undoubtedly be eager to return to competitive football once he completes his rehabilitation. However, without a confirmed date for his return, it remains difficult to determine when he will be able to make a meaningful contribution to his team.
The 27-year-old is also contracted to West Brom until June 2028, leaving approximately two years on his deal at the time discussed in the original report. This means that any club interested in acquiring his services would need to consider both his contractual situation and the uncertainty surrounding his fitness.
For Derby, avoiding such uncertainty may prove beneficial, especially as the club attempts to address more pressing problems elsewhere in the squad.
Derby County Could Have Benefited From Johnston’s Attacking Ability
Despite the concerns surrounding his fitness, there are understandable reasons why Derby County might have been interested in signing Johnston. The Rams have experienced difficulties during the current Championship campaign and have struggled to find the consistency required to move away from the relegation zone.
The club currently find themselves among the teams occupying the bottom three positions, alongside Preston North End and Burnley. Their difficult start to the season has increased the importance of strengthening the squad, particularly in areas where additional quality and competition could improve overall performance.
Johnston could have offered manager John Eustace another option in the attacking department. His arrival would potentially have increased competition for places, provided greater depth in the wide areas and given Derby an additional player capable of creating opportunities in the final third.
One of Johnston’s major strengths is his pace. When performing at his best, he can trouble opposing defenders with his speed, direct running and ability to create dangerous situations in attacking areas. These qualities could have been useful for a Derby side looking to become more effective in the final third.
However, the winger has also experienced difficulties maintaining consistent performances throughout his career. Although he possesses the ability to influence matches, questions about his reliability and availability remain relevant when assessing whether he would have been the right addition for Derby at this particular stage.
Given his current injury situation, the Rams may have escaped a potentially expensive setback by not completing the proposed transfer.
Johnston’s Record Since Joining West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion initially brought Johnston to the club on loan in 2024 before completing a permanent transfer for the former Celtic player. Since making the move to The Hawthorns, he has made a total of 99 appearances across all competitions.
During those appearances, Johnston has recorded 12 goals and 16 assists. These figures demonstrate that he has been capable of contributing to West Brom’s attacking play, both by scoring goals himself and by creating opportunities for his teammates.
His record suggests that he can offer useful attacking qualities when fit and performing well. Nevertheless, previous contributions do not necessarily guarantee that he would have enjoyed the same level of success at Derby, particularly given the club’s current difficulties and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery.
Mikey Johnston’s Statistics for West Bromwich Albion
Statistical category| Total
Appearances in all competitions| 99
Goals scored| 12
Assists recorded| 16
Although these numbers provide evidence of Johnston’s attacking contribution, Derby would also have needed to consider the risks associated with his fitness, the cost of completing a deal and whether he could have made an immediate impact.
With the player now facing an extended spell on the sidelines, the decision not to sign him during the summer could ultimately prove to have been the more sensible outcome for the Rams.
Derby County Must Prioritise Squad Reinforcements in January
Looking ahead to the January transfer window, Derby County have an opportunity to strengthen their squad and improve their chances of escaping the relegation zone. However, the club must be careful to identify the areas that require the most urgent attention rather than pursuing players simply because they are available or have previously attracted interest.
Although additional attacking options could improve the team’s competitiveness, defensive reinforcements appear to be a more pressing requirement. Derby have conceded too many goals during the campaign, and their defensive performances have contributed to their disappointing position in the Championship table.
The situation has also been complicated by injury problems affecting the defensive department. These absences have placed additional pressure on the players available to Eustace and have made it more difficult for the team to maintain stability at the back.
Consequently, the Derby manager may need to focus his recruitment efforts on bringing in defenders who can strengthen the back line, improve the team’s organisation and reduce the number of goals conceded. Addressing these weaknesses could provide a stronger foundation for the club’s attempts to climb out of the bottom three.
While Johnston might still possess qualities that could benefit Derby in the future, his uncertain recovery timeline makes it difficult to justify renewing their interest in him at this stage. The Rams would arguably be better served by targeting players who are fit, available and capable of addressing their immediate problems.
Final Verdict: Derby May Have Been Fortunate to Miss Out on Johnston
Derby County’s reported interest in Mikey Johnston during the summer transfer window may not have resulted in a completed deal, but that outcome could ultimately work in the club’s favour. The winger’s recent knee injury and the uncertainty surrounding his return suggest that signing him could have created additional difficulties for a team already struggling to find its footing in the Championship.
Johnston’s pace, attacking ability and record of goals and assists indicate that he could have offered something valuable to Derby’s forward line. Nevertheless, his injury problems and inconsistent performances make the proposed move less attractive in retrospect.
Rather than reviving their pursuit of the West Brom winger in January, Derby should concentrate on strengthening the areas that are causing the greatest problems. Improving their defence, addressing their injury-related shortages and reducing the number of goals they concede should be central to their recruitment strategy.
Ultimately, missing out on Johnston may have spared Derby from committing resources to an injured player whose immediate contribution would have been uncertain. If the Rams are serious about improving their position in the league, their January recruitment decisions must be guided by their most urgent needs and the availability of players who can make an immediate difference.