Derby County have their sights set on the Premier League, and John Eustace should seal an emotional return for a former fan favourite at Pride Park if they indeed find themselves in the top flight next campaign

A hectic summer at Derby County has helped keep the Rams firmly in the play-off race during the closing stages of the season, raising hopes of a long-awaited return to the Premier League for the first time since 2008.
Their last spell in the top flight remains a painful memory. Derby managed just one victory and collected only 11 points throughout the campaign, a tally that still stands as the lowest points total recorded in the modern era of the Premier League.
Since that difficult season, the club has come close to making a comeback on several occasions. The Rams reached the Championship play-off final twice, in 2014 and again in 2019, but suffered defeat at Wembley Stadium on both occasions.
Now guided by head coach John Eustace, who previously managed Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers, Derby once again look capable of earning promotion this season.
Should they secure a return to the top flight, another major squad rebuild would likely be required to cope with the demands of Premier League football. One move that could excite supporters would be a reunion with former fan favourite Will Hughes.
The midfielder first rose to prominence with Derby and could be a sentimental yet sensible signing if the club regains Premier League status. Hughes will turn 31 by the end of the campaign and has seen his playing time gradually reduced at Crystal Palace under manager Oliver Glasner. This season he has started just 14 league matches, with strong competition in midfield from Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada and Jefferson Lerma.
Before leaving Pride Park, Hughes made 187 appearances for Derby in all competitions. In 2017 he completed an £8 million move to Watford, where he spent four seasons as a reliable presence in midfield.
He later joined Crystal Palace in 2021 for around £6 million and has continued to provide experience and depth in the Eagles’ squad. Hughes played a significant role during the club’s run to victory in the FA Cup last season and has remained involved this year, though often from the bench in both domestic and European matches.
The midfielder is contracted at Selhurst Park until 2027, but with uncertainty surrounding Glasner’s future, a managerial change could alter Hughes’ situation at the club. If a new coach decides to move in a different direction, he could potentially depart before his deal expires.
In that scenario, a return to Derby might prove ideal for both sides. Rejoining the club where his career began would undoubtedly appeal to supporters and the player alike.
However, such a move would likely depend on Derby achieving promotion. If the Rams remain in the Championship, persuading Hughes to drop down a division and accept lower wages could be difficult at this stage of his career.
Should he return, Hughes would almost certainly rank among the club’s highest earners. His strong connection to Derby remains clear, having recently attended their victory over Sheffield Wednesday, a gesture that highlighted the mutual affection between the player and the fans.
With promotion still within reach, Eustace could have the chance to orchestrate an emotional reunion at Pride Park — one that would become far more realistic if Derby secure their long-awaited return to the Premier League.