Derby County has a history of making costly transfers, and their decision to let go of a player during the Frank Lampard era backfired.
With a large budget to spend during the transfer window, Mel Morris gave Lampard the go-ahead to recruit Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori on loan from Chelsea, as well as Harry Wilson from Liverpool.
In 2018, Derby had a successful summer transfer window and attempted to push for promotion. However, they were defeated by Aston Villa in the play-off final, with goals from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn sending Villa to the Premier League.
Chelsea would name Lampard as their next manager despite losing out on a spot in the top division; nevertheless, his decision to sell one player before he departed Pride Park has come back to haunt them.
Derby recruited midfielder Timi Elsnik for their academy in 2015 and upon his arrival, hopes were high.
The Slovenian was sent to lower-league teams Mansfield, Northampton, and Swindon after winning the Scholar of the Year Award in his debut season. Instead, he was not given opportunities to play in the first squad.