When Gary Rowett took over at Derby County, it was clear that he was tasked with the difficult job of providing a much needed mass overhaul of a squad which was under-performing.

This summer transfer window was, therefore, vitally important both for Gary Rowett and Derby County as it would likely be the determining factor of how Derby County's season would fare.

This license that was given to Gary Rowett saw a heavy turnover of players with nine new arrivals and eight departures from Pride Park.

The arrivals included Tom Huddlestone and Curtis Davies from Hull; Andre Wisdom from Liverpool; Sam Winnall from Sheffield Wednesday and Tom Lawrence from Leicester City.

However, despite some excellent signings, there were still some missed opportunities which Gary Rowett should've have at the very least made an attempt to sign.

FLW writer Elliott Wheat-Bowen looks at TWO players that Derby County should have signed in the summer transfer window....

 

Jota

Having spent the first half of last season on loan in La Liga with SD Eibar, Brentford made the decision to re-call Jota early from his eighteen month loan in Spain.

On his return, the rejuvunated and revitalised Spanish winger appeared to have a new lease of life as he emerged as one of the stand-out performers in the Championship, despite only playing half of the season.

After Jota's spectacular form saw a return of twelve goals and five assists in just twenty-one Championship games, the 26-year-old winger began to attract attention from a number of Premier League and Championship sides.

With the Spaniard entering the final year of his contract, it seemed inevitable that Jota would leave Griffin Park this summer. Surprisingly, it was Birmingham City that prised Jota away from Brentford on Deadline Day for a fee in the region of £6 million.

Whilst the arrival of Tom Lawrence may have been seen as Tom Ince's replacement, for just £6 million in an inflated transfer market, Jota was a player that Derby County should have signed.

 

Ollie Watkins

After bursting on the stage at just the age of eighteen, from the very beginning, the signs were there suggesting that the Exeter City academy graduate had a very bright future ahead of him which would see him play at a much higher level.

It was at Exeter City that Ollie Watkins developed a reputation as one of the most highly rated and highly sought after players outside of England's top two divisions.

This raw potential was clearly visible last season when Ollie Watkins won the prestigious EFL Young Player of the Year award after leading the line as Exeter City fell at the final hurdle in the League 2 playoffs.

After the disappointment of playoff heartbreak, it became increasingly apparent that Ollie Watkins would be leaving the Grecians this summer, it was a matter of where he would go, rather than if he would go.

Ollie Watkins' eventual destination was to Brentford, a Championship club that has in recent seasons become a pathway for lower league talent.

Ollie Watkins was a player Derby County should've signed with the mid to long term future in mind.