How Derby County really feel about Kenzo Goudmijn’s future | OneFootball

Kenzo Goudmijn hasn't had the best time under John Eustace and struggled on loan back in the Netherlands last season

Kenzo Goudmijn's time at Derby County was truly derailed when John Eustace took the reins towards the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The former Dutch under-19 international was one of the first signings at Pride Park after their return to the Championship under Paul Warne in July 2024, signing from AZ Alkmaar, and in the first half of his debut season, he was one of the first names on the team sheet.

Goudmijn struggled alongside the rest of the Derby squad under Warne, though, and when he was sacked in February, the club were sat in the relegation zone and staring an immediate League One return in the face.

At that time, the 24-year-old had started all but three league outings, and would start the couple of draws they managed under caretaker boss Matt Hamshaw before John Eustace took over for the final 14 games to try and engineer an escape.

Derby managed to survive, but Goudmijn started just once in those final 14 games. He was left on the bench for the final three crucial outings, of which the Rams picked up seven points to secure safety.

Evidently, the new head coach didn't deem him strong enough to play a part in his side, and after bolstering the midfield in his first transfer window in charge this time last year, he sent the 24-year-old out on loan back to the Eredivisie, playing the 2025/26 campaign at Go Ahead Eagles.

How Derby County feel about Kenzo Goudmijn as he returns from loan spell

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Unfortunately, Goudmijn's loan spell back in his native Holland with Go Ahead Eagles didn't do much in terms of rediscovering some of the form that made Derby sign him back in 2024.

He made just 16 league appearances as Marvin Boel's side finished 12th, five places lower and 13 points fewer than they did the previous year, and their Europa League campaign ended in the group phase with just two wins out of eight.

The 24-year-old scored just once — in the Dutch cup — and returns to Derby with arguably less of a chance to break into John Eustace's side than he did last summer.

According to Derbyshire Live, the Rams are believed to be open to listening to offers for him this summer, as they look to trim their squad of players who haven't made an impact and bring in fees to bolster the existing group of players ahead of what's hoped to be a big season at Pride Park.

The report states that Goudmijn needs to play, and he wouldn't be afforded that chance at Derby next season.

Permanent Bobby Clark signing makes Derby County return almost impossible for Kenzo Goudmijn

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Goudmijn operates as more of a number eight, and it's hard to see where he'd fit in a John Eustace side, especially now Bobby Clark has signed permanently for the Rams.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a brilliant campaign under John Eustace last season, contributing to seven goals and earning himself a nomination for the Championship's Young Player of the Year.

With Derby parting with £6 million to bring him to the club permanently, it's evident that the Rams boss views him as one of his key players in what he'll hope to be a play-off-challenging campaign.

That would leave Goudmijn firmly as a reserve, with him seemingly unable to play alongside Clark as a more defensive-minded midfielder, and therefore, the Dutchman is seemingly expendable this summer.

A departure, either on loan once more or permanently, seems almost inevitable for Goudmijn, who hasn't managed to make a lasting impact on the current Rams boss at all over the past year.