Harrison Armstrong makes the claim that all Derby County fans will want to hear

Add as preferred source on Google

Derby County secured their Championship status on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign, despite being held to a 0-0 draw at Pride Park Stadium by fellow relegation candidates, Stoke City.

The Rams headed into the clash as one of five sides in charge of their own destiny, but neither side in the East Midlands could find a way through. Nonetheless, it was Luton Town who cracked under the pressure, as they were beaten 5-3 by West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
16	PortsmouthPortsmouth	46	14	12	20	58	71	-13	54
17	Oxford UnitedOxford United	46	13	14	19	49	65	-16	53
18	Stoke CityStoke City	46	12	15	19	45	62	-17	51
19	DerbyDerby	46	13	11	22	48	56	-8	50
20	PrestonPreston	46	10	20	16	48	59	-11	50
21	Hull CityHull City	46	12	13	21	44	54	-10	49
22	LutonLuton	46	13	10	23	45	69	-24	49

Successive relegations saw Luton create history, and they will play in League One next season. But for John Eustace’s team, it was an incredible turnaround, after being seven points away from safety with 11 games to go.

Focus now turns onto the summer, with contract situations already starting to be looked at, while there will be calls for the return of a couple of loanees, including Harrison Armstrong. The Everton teenager has excelled at Derby since arriving in the January transfer window, and a fresh deal could be in the pipeline.

Harrison Armstrong reveals where he wants to play his football next season

Both Burnley and Sunderland are keen on Armstrong following such a solid campaign for the Rams, but it is also clear to see how much he has enjoyed his time at Pride Park in the last few months.

Eustace has made him a key part of the team, playing in a midfield three alongside Ebou Adams and Liam Thompson, with the 18-year-old taking the more technical role in the system.

He was fantastic once again against Stoke, and although he was not able to add to the one goal that he picked up in black-and-white, he showed a level of calm and thought in his play that was way beyond his years.

Speaking after the game, he was quizzed on his future. He said (via: BBC Derby Sport): “I’d definitely be interested to come back here.

“It’s a great club, a great fanbase. The staff and players are great. I think there’s talks to be had.”

Derby themselves are also keen on seeing the Everton youngster return in the summer, as per John Percy. Bringing Armstrong back to the club would be a perfect situation for Eustace, who will want to return to his more natural playing style in 2025/26, after resorting to a back’s against the wall system for the last couple of months.

Harrison Armstrong has been the star that Derby County needed

Paul Warne’s tenure was ended just before the Rams picked up their first point of 2025, all the way back at the start of February and he never got the opportunity to utilise Armstrong.

Nevertheless, Eustace has been brave in the way he has started the young midfielder, who had very limited senior experience heading into this season.

He has quickly picked up the mantle where others have struggled this campaign, and he has been a crucial cog in Derby’s great escape alongside his midfield partners, with that potentially being the greatest change that the 45-year-old has made since coming in.

There is plenty of hard work to do in the summer if the Rams are to push themselves up the table next season, but for now they must have time to celebrate an excellent achievement that could allow them to pick up Armstrong for a full year.