John Eustace has three secret weapons in Derby County’s academy right now, he must use them next season
Derby County have been blessed with an excellent academy throughout the course of the last decade, and yet again new stars are making their way through the ranks at Moor Farm.
Three of the Rams’ record sales have come through the club’s academy, while Liam Delap made his way to Manchester City at the age of 16 for a fee that the Stoke Sentinel reported to be around the £1m mark.
However, all of that is now in the past and John Eustace has some incredible talent to work with in the coming years at Pride Park.
Derby have an older squad, and bringing that average age down will take time – especially with the likes of Craig Forsyth still at the club after signing a new deal. Nevertheless, EFL Analysis have picked out three up and coming stars who must be used next season.
Three Derby County academy talents who fans will be excited to see
Lennon Wheeldon
Striker Lennon Wheeldon has quickly become a star in the Rams’ academy after leaving Notts County while playing for the U16s.
He made his Championship debut when Derby were beaten 1-0 by Swansea City in April, but next season is when he will be hoping to prove to Eustace just how much quality he has and becoming a permanent fixture on the bench will be a huge next step.
The 19-year-old scored six goals in 12 appearances for the U21s in 2024/25, while he also found the back of the net three times in three games in the Premier League Cup.
Cruz Allen
At 18, there is perhaps no other player in Derby’s U21s side as exciting as Wales U19 international Cruz Allen.
The midfielder has come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months at Derby and he has found himself on the bench for the senior squad on multiple occasions while also playing for the U18s and the U21s.
Versatility is one of Allen’s key strengths, with the youngster able to play across the midfield and in some more advanced positions. A loan this season will be crucial to his development, unless Eustace decides to push the teenager up to the first team on a regular basis.
Jack Thompson
Goalkeepers perhaps find it more difficult than other players on the pitch to breakthrough into the first team, but Jack Thompson is slowly starting to make his way through the ranks and he should be the third choice shot-stopper at Derby next season.
Derby parted ways with Rohan Luthra after just one year at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, and one of their own must now be called upon to take that reserve role as Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Josh Vickers battle for the number one shirt.
Thompson spent time on loan at Kettering Town and then local club Alfreton Town last season, and he impressed. More experience is definitely needed, but this will only come as he gets older.
