Derby County made a number of new signings in the summer to prepare for their return to the Championship, and one acquisition has been praised as having the quality to go all the way to the top if he keeps up his current performance levels.
Making the step up from League One to the Championship is always going to be difficult for any club, but Derby County have equipped themselves well for their return to the second tier.
The Rams are currently 12th in the Championship table as we head into the international break, and while the league is incredibly tight, a good run in the festive period could even see the club pushing for the play-offs.
While not a perfect start, there is plenty Paul Warne has got right at Derby this year, and one addition to the squad over the summer has been a real highlight.
- READ MORE: How Derby County could lineup vs Preston amid David Ozoh injury return and double winger decision
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom will make it to the Premier League
Paul Warne made the decision to sign a new goalkeeper ahead of this season, with Joe Wildsmith moving on to West Brom in July.
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was the man chosen to fill those gloves, and the 26-year-old has done a brilliant job between the sticks so far. He’s impressed so much, in fact, that he has earned a call-up for the latest international break with Sweden.
And, according to his compatriot, Jonas Olsson, Zetterstrom is displaying all the qualities needed to make it to the Premier League, whether that is with or without Derby.
Olsson told BBC Sport: “What I think stands out as his biggest quality is his decision-making, his intelligence both on and off the field. He reads the game very well and makes good decisions from it.
“What separates defenders and keepers being Championship [level] from being Premier League [level], it comes down a lot to your decision-making, your ability to read the game, your ability to learn from your mistakes.
“I think Jacob has, in every aspect, got that quality. If you have that quality, and obviously all the other qualities, then I don’t think the step from Championship to the Premier League is that great.”
Olsson also tipped Zetterstrom to pick up minutes for Sweden if he carries on performing the way he is, be it in this break or the next.
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom key to Derby’s hopes this season
At any level, you need a top goalkeeper, and Derby County have definitely got that now in Zetterstrom. The Swedish stopped has already registered four clean sheets in 14 appearances this season, and that can only breed confidence through the defence.
The 19 goals Derby have conceded this season puts them around the middle of the Championship rankings for that metric, but the return of Eiran Cashin and Callum Elder in defence should make that defensive unit more solid, too.
| Statistic | Jacob Widell Zetterstrom 2024/25 (all competitions) |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 14 |
| Minutes played | 1,290 |
| Goals conceded | 15 |
| Clean sheets | 4 |
| Save % | 73.6 |
| Pass completion % | 60.7 |
For Zetterstrom to have arrived in England and instantly made such an impact, though, is very impressive. One would imagine, if he can keep this up for the next year or two, it will only be a matter of time before a top club comes knocking.
That is, if Derby County don’t manage to achieve their long-term goal of getting back to the Premier League themselves.