Paul Warne has explained why Derby County landing one of their ‘exceptional’ talents was a ‘no-brainer’ for the club.
The start of the new Championship campaign is just under a month away and Derby County have been ironing out preparations ahead of their season opener against Blackburn Rovers.
Paul Warne has claimed the Rams want to sign 12 new players after releasing six at the start of June and currently, four new players have arrived at Pride Park, while the capture of Ebou Adams is imminent.
Derby have completed some shrewd business this summer, including a deal to sign the versatile Ben Osborn, who made 24 appearances in the Premier League last term.
Likewise, the loan signing of striker Jerry Yates – who scored nine Championship goals in 2023/24 – looks ready to lead the line alongside Kayden Jackson.
But, it’s the fourth signing Derby made this summer in Kenzo Goudmijn who Warne described as a ‘no-brainer’.
Paul Warne explains the key reason why Derby signed Kenzo Goudmijn
Last week, Derby completed the £600,000 capture of Dutch midfielder Goudmijn from AZ Alkmaar.
The 22-year-old instantly outlined his excitement to play in England and on Saturday, the left-footed playmaker came on for half an hour in a 3-0 victory over Matlock Town.
Predominantly a deep-lying midfielder or a number 10, supporters got a taste of Goudmijn’s quality from set-pieces in that friendly but that isn’t the only reason Warne snapped him up.
Warne scoured the foreign market for a playmaker in the mould of the Dutchman, who has experience playing in the Eredivisie instead of signing someone from England.
He believes capturing Goudmijn for £600k was ‘very affordable’ compared to what Derby would have to pay for an English player, and that explains why looking abroad for players offers immense value.
Describing the English market as ‘through the roof’, Warne told BBC Sport: “The English market is through the roof, the players are too expensive for the type of player that we wanted so we knew we had to look abroad.
“Ten weeks ago we were told we had no chance, it would cost X amount. But we just kept chipping away and eventually it becomes more affordable and eventually becomes very affordable and in comparison to the English market, it feels like he is half-priced, so it’s a no-brainer.”
Kenzo Goudmijn offers Derby much-needed creativity
In League One last term, the Rams scored the most goals from set pieces (25), which showcased how clinical they were in those situations.
Now set-piece takers Conor Hourihane, Louie Sibley and Max Bird have all moved on, Goudmijn could now step up to the mark and unleash his wand of a left foot over a dead ball.
Not only that, the youngster offers incredible creativity from central and wide positions, picking up space in the pockets and crossing at any opportunity he gets.
Derby sometimes lacked that player capable of unlocking a defence and after winning promotion to the Championship, Goudmijn’s quality will be needed more than ever.
Last season, he created seven big chances for his teammates and averaged one key pass per game in the Eredivisie.
If he can translate that creativity across to the Championship, Derby will have an ‘exceptional’ player on their hands.