Derby County’s chance of surviving could hinge on one player next season, and it’s not Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Paul Warne had Mendez-Laing to thank last term as the 32-year-old helped fire the Rams to promotion with a whopping nine goals and 16 assists in the league.
Derby often relied on the explosive attacker to serve up a moment of brilliance in the final third, scoring vital goals in wins over Charlton Athletic, Exeter City and Cambridge United.
With only Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates added to Warne’s attack during this transfer window, Derby run the risk of depending on Mendez-Laing to drag them through matches once more.
Luckily, though, there is now another player in the squad who can be just as important as the Guatemalan.
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Derby midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn will play vital role in Championship
Derby made the shrewd capture of midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn from AZ Alkmaar for £600,000 this summer.
One of four midfielders signed, along with David Ozoh, Ebou Adams and Ben Osborn, the Dutchman offers something the others don’t; the ability to break lines with his passing range.
During Derby’s pre-season matches, the 22-year-old has looked the part as a deep-lying midfielder, collecting the ball from defenders and spaying passes forward.
The midfield metronome has shown great press resistance and rarely shirks responsibility in possession, collecting the ball from his teammates in tight spaces.
He’s acted as the link between midfield and attack, with the youngster helping relieve pressure for the Rams with his ball retention.
In the Championship this season, Derby will rely on Goudmijn being the creative force in the starting XI and the one who can keep the Rams ticking over.
Indeed, his ability to pick up pockets of space and spray quality forward passes could make him one of the most invaluable members of the team.
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Derby will need the creativity of Goudmijn
While on loan at Excelsior Rotterdam in the Eredivisie last term, Goudmijn was a bright spark from midfield, creating seven big chances and laying on one key pass per game.
It’s such creativity that holds the key to Derby surviving in the Championship, as his excellent passing range adds an extra dimension to the Rams.
In some matches, Warne’s men can afford to sit back knowing the ‘exceptional’ Goudmijn can fire accurate long balls from range, either into feet or over the defence.
The young Dutchman can also kickstart attacks from deep and help Derby gain control of the engine room.
Mendez-Laing may be Warne’s most important player in the final third but for what Goudmijn will bring to the midfield, he’s arguably just as crucial.