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Derby County remain unbeaten in pre-season, with their latest victory most notable for the performances of their younger players.
The Rams found themselves 2-1 down at half-time against Walsall on Tuesday evening, but they turned the game around to win 3-2 in the Black Country as they await their next challenge in the form of Burton Albion at the weekend.
Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu scored the winning goal against the League Two side, with the teenager hoping to make his mark on the team this season, alongside plenty of other youngsters in Derby’s ranks.
However, a player who found it tough to maintain fitness in 2024/25 impressed once again this summer, and John Eustace may finally have unlocked his potential.
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Corey Blackett-Taylor is going to be crucial for Derby County in 2025/26
The Rams have made five signings this summer so far, with supporters excited to see Patrick Agyemang following his £5.8m move from Charlotte FC. However, Corey Blackett-Taylor has started pre-season in a rich vein of form.
The winger joined Derby from Charlton Athletic in January 2024, helping the club to promotion to the Championship – although he found it tough to lock down a place in the side under Paul Warne.
Injuries have plagued the 27-year-old over the course of the last 18 months, but he has looked sharp so far this summer, scoring two goals already.
His first came against RB Salzburg during the Rams’ trip to Austria, pouncing on a poor touch from an opposition defender before firing the ball into the back of the net. He then scored from the penalty spot on Tuesday after quickly moving into the box before being taken down by a Walsall player – showing a different side to his game.
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Corey Blackett-Taylor needs to maintain his fitness
Derby had plenty of injury problems under Warne, and Eustace has work to do to ensure that these issues do not carry over into the new season.
Blackett-Taylor was one of many who were never able to find confidence because of that, but a full pre-season is allowing him to show off his talents to supporters who have expected so much from him.
If Eustace is to play a 4-2-3-1 formation at Derby in 2025/26, then he will need the ex-Charlton man to be a consistent performer, and he may just be like a new signing.