Derby County look ready to wave goodbye to Kenzo Goudmijn this summer after John Eustace’s permanent signing of Bobby Clark left the Dutch midfielder with no clear path into the first XI at Pride Park. The Rams sit 8th in the Championship on 69 points after 46 games, six behind play-off pace, as they chase a late push for the playoffs.
What went wrong for Kenzo Goudmijn at Derby County?
Goudmijn arrived in July 2024 from AZ Alkmaar for around £6 million as one of Paul Warne’s first signings after Derby’s return to the Championship. The 24-year-old started almost every game in the first half of the 2024/25 season, but his role shrank under John Eustace after the head coach took charge in February. Goudmijn played just once in the final 14 games as Derby survived relegation, often left on the bench for the club’s seven-point surge that secured safety.
Why the loan spell failed to revive Goudmijn’s Derby County career
Sent to Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie last summer, Goudmijn managed only 16 league appearances and one goal - in the Dutch cup - as his parent club finished 12th, five places lower and 13 points adrift of their 2023/24 mark. The loan stint did little to restore the form that convinced Derby to pay £6 million for his services, leaving Goudmijn returning to Pride Park with even slimmer hopes of breaking into Eustace’s plans.
Bobby Clark’s permanent move blocks Goudmijn’s Derby County future
Eustace’s decision to sign Clark permanently for £6 million has made Goudmijn’s position almost untenable. The 21-year-old midfielder starred last term with seven goal contributions and a Championship Young Player of the Year nomination, locking Goudmijn out of the deeper-lying role he usually occupies. With Derby chasing a playoff push and Clark now the first-choice pivot, Goudmijn looks set to leave - either on loan again or permanently - as Eustace seeks to trim deadwood and free up funds for fresh signings.
Derby County’s summer transfer plans hinge on clearing the midfield
Derbyshire Live report that the Rams are open to offers for Goudmijn this summer, aiming to cut squad size and bolster the group ahead of what’s hoped to be a big season at Pride Park. The club’s 67 goals scored and 59 conceded (+8 goal difference) reflect a side capable of pushing for the top six, but Eustace’s reshuffle means Goudmijn no longer fits the picture. A permanent exit or another loan move now looks inevitable for the 24-year-old, who leaves Derby with 20 wins, nine draws and 17 losses from 46 games - six points adrift of the play-offs.
