Derby County announced the acquisition of Dutch midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn on Wednesday, but there is a cautious concern that he might face challenges similar to previous Dutch players at the club.
Goudmijn, aged 22, has signed a four-year contract with Derby, reportedly for a fee of £600,000 from AZ Alkmaar. He becomes their fifth summer signing, following recent additions such as Ben Osborn, Jerry Yates, and Kayden Jackson, alongside Corey Blackett-Taylor’s permanent move after a loan spell.
Linked with a move to England since late June by AZAlerts, Goudmijn is seen as a promising addition for Derby, who are heading to Spain for pre-season preparations and a friendly against Stockport County on July 19. This period will allow him to integrate with his new teammates as Derby prepares for their return to the Championship after a two-year absence, starting with an away match against Blackburn Rovers.
Despite the optimism, Derby may have concerns about Goudmijn adapting quickly, reminiscent of the challenges faced by previous Dutch signings like Mike te Wierik and Florian Jozefzoon in recent seasons.
Goudmijn has the potential to rise above any concerns from Derby County’s previous experiences with Dutch players. Despite Excelsior Rotterdam’s struggles, he showcased his talent, notably scoring against Ado Den Haag and providing two assists during their relegation play-off campaign. However, despite his contributions, Excelsior Rotterdam’s defensive frailties ultimately led to their defeat against NAC Breda, losing 7-6 on aggregate in the final.
In his inaugural interview with RamsTV, Derby’s official media outlet, the 22-year-old detailed his preferred style of play: “I’m a midfielder, and I consider myself very adept on the ball and technically strong. I excel in passing and have good dribbling skills. I’m extremely passionate and dislike losing. My focus is on creating opportunities, whether for myself or my teammates.”
Last season, Goudmijn completed 49 successful dribbles in the Eredivisie, the highest among players in his position, which aligns well with Warne’s desire for his team to take on defenders.
Kenzo Goudmijn’s statistics for the 2023/24 season with Excelsior Rotterdam and AZ Alkmaar (via FotMob):
– Appearances: 30
– Goals: 1
– Assists: 4
– Successful dribbles: 55
– Chances created: 28
– Tackles won: 26
With the potential addition of Ebou Adams to Derby, as reported by BBC Sport, the Rams’ midfield is shaping up nicely, promising positive outcomes ahead.
Be the first to comment