Nat Phillips looked set to return to Pride Park, but instead joined West Brom—only to find himself in a relegation scrap while Derby County flourish without him. The Rams’ rise this season has put Phillips’ summer decision under the spotlight, showing just how much a single transfer choice can shape fortunes.
It has been a remarkable season for Derby County and John Eustace, with the Rams punching above their weight in the Championship play-off race. The battle for the top six is tight, with clubs like Derby, Hull City, and Preston North End fighting at the top end of the table. Meanwhile, teams that thrived in 2024/25, including Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, are struggling. The Baggies, in particular, have been mired in a relegation fight, picking up just three points since Eric Ramsay’s arrival.
During the summer transfer window, Nat Phillips was one of the most sought-after defenders in the Championship as he prepared to leave Liverpool after nine years at Anfield. While he made 29 appearances for the Reds, much of his career had been spent on loan, with his most successful spell coming at Derby County last season.
At Pride Park, Phillips formed a key defensive partnership with Sondre Langås and Matt Clarke, helping the Rams secure Championship survival. Derby reportedly wanted to sign him permanently, but Phillips chose West Brom instead—a decision that now looks increasingly difficult in hindsight.
Phillips arrived at West Brom with hopes of stabilizing the defence and pushing the club toward a top-six finish. Reality has been harsh. The Baggies sit just two points above the relegation zone, and without Leicester City’s six-point deduction, they would be 22nd. Their defensive record has been patchy, most glaringly in a 5-0 defeat to Norwich City, leaving Phillips fighting to help the club survive rather than compete for promotion.
By contrast, Derby are thriving. Squad depth, cohesion, and defensive consistency have kept them firmly in the play-off conversation—highlighting the gap between the Rams’ rise and West Brom’s struggles.
Derby’s defence has stayed rock-solid despite missing out on Phillips. Matt Clarke and Sondre Langås have maintained their excellent form from last season, while goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström has emerged as one of the Championship’s standout performers. Together, they have created a dependable foundation that has allowed Derby to punch above their weight and remain strong play-off contenders.
Derby also unearthed a new defensive star in Dion Sanderson, who joined on loan from Birmingham City. After a slow start, Sanderson quickly became one of John Eustace’s most important players, injecting pace, energy, and composure into the backline.
Derby acted fast to make his loan permanent in January. The 26-year-old has continued to impress, recording his seventh clean sheet of the season in the Rams’ win over Swansea City. Versatile and reliable, Sanderson can operate in a back three or a traditional centre-back partnership, cementing his role as a cornerstone of Derby’s play-off push.
While Derby would have welcomed Phillips back, it is the West Brom defender who now appears envious. As the Rams climb toward a potential play-off spot, Phillips’ focus is on helping West Bromwich Albion avoid relegation—a stark contrast to the upward trajectory of the club he once helped stabilize.
This season is a reminder of how one transfer decision can shape a player’s fortunes. For Derby, smart recruitment, squad depth, and resilience have allowed them to thrive—even without the players they once hoped to retain. Phillips, meanwhile, is left to reflect on what might have been—a cautionary tale of timing, opportunity, and football’s unpredictability.
