Derby County's Rise and Ownership Uncertainty Ahead of Swansea Clash

Derby County’s stunning six wins in their last seven Championship matches has thrust them into the playoff race — but off the pitch, the club’s future remains anything but certain. On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Swansea City released their detailed opposition preview, zeroing in on Derby County’s lethal strike duo: Martyn Waghorn and Jack Marriott. Together, they’ve accounted for 22 goals and eight assists this season, turning a once-struggling attack into one of the Championship’s most feared units. The match, set for Pride Park, isn’t just about three points — it’s a snapshot of a club caught between resurgence and instability.

On-Field Surge Under Eustace

Under manager John Eustace, Derby County has transformed. After a rocky start to the 2025/26 campaign, the team has clicked with physicality, set-piece precision, and clinical finishing. Waghorn, 33, has defied age with a hunger that’s infectious, while Marriott, 28, has rediscovered his scoring touch after a quiet spell at Blackburn. Their chemistry isn’t luck — it’s structure. Eustace shifted from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 in September, giving both forwards space to exploit gaps behind central defenders. The results? Goals in 11 of their last 12 games.

But the turnaround hasn’t come without cost. Derby County still lost £11.3 million for the financial year ending June 2025 — a £3 million improvement from the previous year’s £14.3 million deficit. Still, that’s a heavy burden for a club in the second tier. What’s remarkable? Owner David Clowes has frozen season ticket prices for 2025/26. “We are very conscious of the economic pressures facing fans,” he told The Swiss Ramble on November 26. In a league where clubs routinely hike prices to cover losses, that’s rare — and deeply appreciated.

The Textor Shadow: A £60 Million Gamble

While fans cheer on the pitch, whispers grow louder off it. John Textor, the American investor who once owned Crystal Palace, is pushing to complete a £60 million takeover of Derby County. Textor, known for his global football network — including a major stake in Brazil’s Botafogo — reportedly plans to import two young talents: Jordan Barrera and Kadir Barria. Journalist Alan Nixon, writing on his Patreon, confirmed the interest, calling it “a classic Textor move: build bridges, not walls.”

But Derby fans remember 2021. That’s when the club entered administration after Chris Kirchner’s failed bid, leaving debts, unpaid wages, and broken trust. “Kirchner tried to swindle their way into ownership,” The72.co.uk noted on November 26. Textor’s name triggers unease. Some see a savior; others, another outsider with a spreadsheet, not a soul. “I’d rather see a local consortium,” said long-time supporter Mark Hargreaves at a pub near Pride Park. “Not some billionaire who thinks a Brazilian academy is a magic wand.”

Corey Blackett-Taylor’s Last Stand?

Inside the dressing room, tension simmers. Corey Blackett-Taylor, a 24-year-old winger signed from Blackburn for £1.2 million in 2023, has struggled to make an impact. According to EFL Analysis, Eustace has “a perfect replacement lined up” — likely 19-year-old academy product Leo Cullen, who impressed in the U21s. “He may have one last chance in 2025/26,” the report said. Blackett-Taylor’s contract expires next summer. If he doesn’t start before December, his future at Pride Park looks bleak.

This isn’t just about one player. It’s about identity. Is Derby building for now — or for a new era under Textor? Eustace, who took over in January 2024, is caught in the middle. He’s delivered results, but his squad could be dismantled if Textor arrives. “He’s managing a team that might not be his team next season,” said former Derby midfielder Steve Davies on BBC Radio Derby.

Financial Tightrope and Fan Loyalty

Despite the losses, Derby’s financial position is improving. The £3 million reduction in losses came from cost controls, not new revenue. Ticket sales are flat. Merchandise revenue is down 8% from 2024. But Clowes has avoided fire sales. The club still owns Pride Park. They’ve paid off £8 million in debts since 2022. That’s stability. That’s trust.

And that’s why freezing ticket prices matters. In a time when inflation hit 3.8% nationally, Derby’s fans — many of whom work in manufacturing or public services — can still afford to come. “It’s not charity,” said Clowes. “It’s sustainability. A club without its community is just a building.”

What’s Next?

The next 60 days will define Derby’s trajectory. The Textor takeover must be approved by the EFL by January 15, 2026. If it clears, expect two Botafogo players to arrive by the January window — and possibly three more departures. If it fails, Clowes will likely seek another local investor. Either way, Eustace’s squad will be reshaped.

For Swansea City, the challenge is clear: contain Waghorn’s movement, neutralize Marriott’s runs, and hope Derby’s off-field noise spills onto the pitch. But for Derby, the real game is being played behind closed doors — in boardrooms, not stadiums.