Derby County is off to a rocky start, but a potential game-changer might be on the horizon! Pundit Don Goodman has thrown his weight behind the Rams’ pursuit of Sergi Canos, a former Brentford star. Could this experienced attacker be the missing piece for John Eustace’s side? Find out what makes Canos such a crucial target!
Derby County’s much-anticipated 2025/26 Championship campaign has begun in tumultuous fashion, leading to urgent calls for strategic player acquisitions. Amidst a challenging start, veteran football pundit Don Goodman has exclusively advised Football League World that the Rams, under manager John Eustace, should intensify their pursuit of Valencia attacker Sergi Canos, believing his experience could be pivotal for their fortunes.
The club, having narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the previous season, had harbored hopes of a significantly improved performance this term. However, an alarming injury crisis has plagued the squad, resulting in a dire collection of just one point from their opening three league games and an early exit from the EFL Cup at the hands of Burnley. This difficult period places considerable pressure on Eustace, who controversially left play-off chasing Blackburn Rovers to join Derby when they were at rock-bottom.
Sergi Canos, currently sidelined with an injury for La Liga side Valencia, has emerged as a prime target for the beleaguered Pride Park outfit. The Spanish attacker boasts an impressive footballing pedigree, having developed through the esteemed academies of Barcelona and Liverpool before gaining his first taste of English football on loan at Brentford in the EFL Championship. His career trajectory saw an ill-fated permanent move to Norwich City, but he soon returned to Brentford, where he truly thrived.
During his second spell with the Bees, Canos became an integral part of their promotion-winning side, eventually making nearly 250 appearances for the west London club. This extensive experience in the competitive English leagues, particularly the Championship, is precisely what Don Goodman highlights as the key attribute that could make him an invaluable asset for Derby County’s current predicament.
Speaking to Football League World, Goodman articulated his strong conviction, stating, “He’s a player, Sergi Canos, who I followed from his journey to Brentford and he was exceptional when Brentford were getting promoted five seasons ago.” This endorsement underscores Canos’s proven capability to perform at a high level within the division, suggesting he possesses the resilience and skill set required to navigate the rigors of the Championship.
Goodman further elaborated on his assessment, acknowledging the differences between top-flight football in Spain and England, but maintaining confidence in Canos’s potential impact. “Having said all of that, the Championship isn’t La Liga and it’s not the Premier League. Given that he’s experienced, if Derby can get the Sergi Canos back that was playing so well for Brentford then they’re in business and it would be a brilliant deal,” he affirmed, stressing the importance of recapturing that form.
Beyond the interest in Sergi Canos, Derby County has already been exceptionally active in the transfer market, securing ten new signings this summer, with an eleventh reportedly close in the form of Scottish full-back Max Johnston from Sturm Graz. Notable free transfers include Danny Batth, Richie O’Donnell, Andreas Weimann, and Rhian Brewster, alongside the additions of attackers Patrick Agyemang and Carlton Morris, and former Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis. The potential acquisition of Canos would cap off what could be an incredibly busy and pivotal transfer window for the Rams.
