The 2024–25 season is Derby County's 126th season in the Football League and their 55th in the second tier of English football. It is their first season in the Championship since 2022 following their promotion as runners-up in League One in the previous campaign. They will also compete in the FA Cup, entering in the third round, and competed in the EFL Cup, which they exited in the second round.
Review
Pre-season
1 July saw the start of pre-season for the 2024–25 campaign, with the players returning to training after the summer break. As 30 June had seen the final day of a number of players contracts, 1 July also saw the official departure of Dwight Gayle, Conor Hourihane, Scott Loach, Korey Smith, Martyn Waghorn, and Joe Wildsmith from the first team as had been announced via the release of the club's retained list six-weeks previously.[1]
Derby's first Championship game in two years came on Friday 9 August with a trip to Ewood Park to play Blackburn Rovers. The match saw the full debuts of Kenzo Goudmijn, David Ozoh, Ben Osborn, and Kayden Jackson but ended in a 4–2 defeat despite the game being level at 1–1 with 20 minutes remaining. Paul Warne put the late collapse down to Blackburn's substitutes saying 'They changed it and brought on cheat codes all over the place. We looked a little bit leggy and it's my fault because I didn't make the subs quick enough.'[11] Four days later, Derby earned their first win of the campaign with a 2–1 home victory over League TwoChesterfield in the EFL Cup 1st round, with Jackson scoring the winner with his first goal for the club on his home debut. Derby's first week back in the second tier ended with the announcement that the club has completed its protracted pursuit of Djurgårdens IFSweden internationalgoalkeeperJacob Widell Zetterström for an undisclosed fee rumoured to be around £1.4m.[12] A surprise outgoing was midfielder Tyrese Fornah who dropped two divisions to join League Two Salford City.[13] Warne said of the move 'I want people that want to be here. He was frustrated he wasn't getting enough game time that his ability deserved. I was disappointed. I didn't want him to go. He goes with my blessing and I wish him all the best.'[14]
Derby's first championship home game of the season came against Middlesbrough, with the Rams gaining their first league win of the new season as they ran out out 1–0 victors thanks to Jackson's 14th-minute goal, his second goal in consecutive games, with Warne believing that the team 'stepped up a level' and praising the efforts of the players.[15] Derby followed up on this victory with a 2–1 defeat away at Watford despite taking a 2nd-minute lead through Ebou Adams first goal of the season.
With the transfer window closing on 30 August, Derby concluded their transfer business for the summer with the season long loan signings of Liverpoolcentre-backNat Phillips and Ipswich TownwingerMarcus Harness. Neither player signed in time for inclusion in the following day's fixture at home to Bristol City. Despite this, Derby ran out comfortable 3–0 winners, their eight consecutive league home win and their biggest win in the second tier since a 4–0 victory at Birmingham City in December 2020. Goudmijn and Ozoh both scored their first goals for the club, either side of a goal from Jackson's third goal in as many games at Pride Park. Warne described it as 'the best Derby performance I’ve seen since I’ve been here'.[17]
On 11 May, the club announced a return to Alicante for a weeks training camp and a friendly against Stockport County.[61] Two days later, Derby announced they would travel to Matlock Town for the opening pre-season fixture.[62] A third fixture was later added to the schedule, against Chesterfield.[63] On 6 June, a visit to Shrewsbury Town was also confirmed.[64] A fifth friendly was later announced, versus Barnsley.[65] On 5 July, a sixth and final fixture was added, at home against Spanish La Liga side Real Valladolid.[66]
Updated to match(es) played on 21 January 2025. Source: EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[67]
On 27 June, the draw for the first round was made, with Derby being drawn at home against Chesterfield.[75] In the second round, they were drawn away to Barrow.[76][77]
