Derby County signing Kenzo Goudmijn has been a revelation for Paul Warne’s side.
The Rams continued their brilliant start to the 2024/25 Championship season after they recorded their third straight home win in the campaign after beating Cardiff City 1-0.
Derby County have impressed all across the pitch and already look to be one of the surprise packages of the Championship following their promotion from League One in the 2023/24 campaign, however the midfield is where the Rams have truly improved this season.
The trio of midfielders Kenzo Goudmijn, David Ozoh and Ebou Adams have been incredible up to this point for the Rams, with the Dutch midfielder in particular making a direct impact in front of goal for Derby County.
Goudmijn bagged a second consecutive league goal in the 1-0 win against Cardiff City, and it was one that Paul Warne may take some of the credit for after what he showed his midfielder before the game.
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Paul Warne showed Derby County midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn Match of the Day clips before win
Goudmijn’s goal showcased a midfielder full of confidence, who was able to waltz into the box and get onto the end of Callum Elder’s brilliant ball.
Warne praised the goalscorer following the 1-0 victory and how he has adjusted to the Championship, as well as how he has improved infront of goal.
Speaking to the DCFC website, Warne said: “It has been a big adjustment for him [Goudmijn] but he’s a learner. He’s been brought up in football. His dad’s a football guy. Training with the group daily and the pace of training and how physical it might be compared to the Netherlands you learn by osmosis sometimes.
“I showed the three midfielders clips last week where they’ve done some really good stuff, but some stuff I wasn’t so pleased with. We had a bit more bite in the middle of the park today. So that was really pleasing, and for him to get two goals is great.
“I showed him an old Match of the Day goals highlight reel [from December 2006] where midfielders score, it was one of the best ever! I’m begging our midfielders to shoot.
“They’ve got to add goals and attempts to their game because they can’t just rely on the front three. And in fairness, they all had a little pot in shot first half, so I was like a proud father.
“But for him to score another goal, you’ve got to get in the box. That’s the thing as a midfielder. You can miss chances but you’ve got to give yourself the opportunity to score. And he did that today.”
Paul Warne has done brilliantly to mould his inexperienced players
Warne most certainly will have been worried by the earlier injury sustained by Ben Osborn in the earlier stages of the season, however he had the options of Ozoh, Goudmijn and Adams to utilise.
Both Ozoh and Goudmijn in particular previously had minimal experience at this level, especially the Dutchman, who was yet to tally a single minute of English football before the season.
However, Warne has done incredibly well in getting the pair up to speed, and as a result they have thrived and became Derby County’s shining lights this campaign.
The added personal touch from Warne showing Goudmijn Match of the Day clips shows the extent to which the Rams boss goes to helping his players improve, and outside-the-box methods such as this will certainly continue to make a positive impact for the players.