The phrase "deserves special mention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English. You can use it when you want to give recognition or credit to someone for something they have done, achieved, or accomplished. For example: "Nancy's excellent work on the project deserves special mention."
Lawrence's poetry deserves special mention.
Healy's glovework deserves special mention.
Vergé's lobster deserves special mention.
(Julian Barnett deserves special mention).
Alison Attar's harp solo deserves special mention.
The lineup, too, deserves special mention.
Mr. Quasthoff's performance deserves special mention.
A pair of rollatini also deserves special mention.
Findings from this study revealed a missing link that deserves special mention.
Ludwig does not simply clarify my doubts with English writing, it enlightens my writing with new possibilities
Simone Ivan Conte
Software Engineer at Adobe, UK