Kenzo Goudmijn is set to sign for Derby County. The 22 year old midfield is joining The Rams from AZ Alkmaar in The Netherlands. Goudmijn spent the second half of last season on loan with Excelsior Rotterdam. What can the young Dutchman bring to Derby? We spoke with Brian Wijker a journalist and host of the AZ Podcast and AZ Fan Page to find out!
What do you make of the news that Kenzo Goudmijn is set to sign for Derby County?
Brian: I was surprised, to be honest. Didn't expect him to make the step to the Championship. I thought a top flight team in The Netherlands would pick him up. A team like SC Heerenveen, for example. I don't know enough about the playing style of Derby County to imagine if he would be a great fit for them.
AZ Fan Page: Kenzo Goudmijn's potential move to Derby County is an exciting development for him. His experience in the Eredivisie, combined with his technical skills, could prove to be a valuable asset for Derby County in the Championship.
He played 14 times for AZ before his loan to Excelsior Rotterdam (where he played 23 times). How did he perform last season?
Brian: At the start of last season it looked like he finally got his long awaited opportunity after the department of Tijjani Reijnders to AC Milan. Unfortunately for him the team - after a good start in the league - came into a very big dip in which they almost couldn't win a game in three months. He was one of the players that was replaced by manager Pascal Jansen, who hoped to turn things around (which didn't happen under his reign). In the winter break AZ signed Kristijan Belic from Partizan Belgrado, which made Goudmijn dropping lower in the picking order, therefore he decided to return to Excelsior. He was there on loan in the previous season and they tried to sign him in the summer of 2023 on a permanent deal. That didn't happen, because Goudmijn wanted to succeed at AZ.
AZ Fan Page: At AZ he got some chances in midfield in the first half of the season, but they were not convincing enough to be honest. Kenzo had to battle very experienced midfielders on key positions and lost. During his loan spell at Excelsior Rotterdam, Goudmijn showed promise and growth, especially in the last part of the competition. He played 23 matches and was an integral part of their midfield, contributing both defensively and offensively. His performances were generally solid, showing good vision, passing accuracy, and the ability to read the game well. It was the best version of Goudmijn we have seen so far for sure!
He’s a central midfielder. What type of midfielder is he? Box to box? Creative? Defensive minded?
Brian: He is a technical and creative player that has football brains. He has great insight and sees spaces. He can dribble as well. Physically he has steps to make, on that front the Championship can be challenging for him. But maybe he will have players next to him to do that work, so he gets a little bit of freedom to play his game. Or maybe they have a clear plan with him to improve on that side of the game.
AZ Fan Page: Kenzo Goudmijn is primarily a creative midfielder. He excels at linking play between defense and attack, often acting as the team's playmaker. His vision and passing ability allow him to create opportunities for his teammates, making him a crucial part of the offensive build-up. While he can contribute defensively, his strengths lie in his creativity and ability to orchestrate the game from the midfield.
Goudmijn has been associated with AZ since 2010. Why are AZ looking to sell him?
Brian: I think they just don't see a perspective for him as a player who can start many games on the highest level. On the other hand they know that without games his development will stagnate. At AZ his father is the assistant manager by the way, he was a professional footballer.
AZ Fan Page: AZ may be looking to sell Goudmijn for a few reasons. Firstly, the club has a strong midfield roster, and it may be challenging for Goudmijn to secure a regular starting position. This is why he has been on loan multiple times. Based on his playing level at Excelsior there was a chance to return, but I think they preferred giving Peer Koopmeiners a new chance, because he also did very well on loan at Almere City.
AZ are considered by many to have one do the best academies in Europe. Was he part of their success in the UEFA Youth League in 2019?
Brian: No, he is from the generation in front of them. He made his AZ debut many years before, in May 2019. So that makes it even more clear that now is the time for him to play football on a regular basis. It will be interesting to see how a move to England will work out for him.
What are his strengths?
AZ Fan Page: Goudmijn's strengths include his vision, passing accuracy, and creativity. He is adept at finding space and creating opportunities for his teammates. His technical skills and ability to maintain possession under pressure make him a valuable asset in the midfield. Additionally, his experience in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie has provided him with a solid foundation to compete at a higher level.
What are his weaknesses?
AZ Fan Page: One of Goudmijn's weaknesses is his physicality. The Championship is a demanding league, and he may need to adapt to the increased physicality and pace. Additionally, while he is a capable midfielder, his defensive skills are not his strongest attribute. He may need to work on his tackling and positional awareness to become a more well-rounded midfielder. Looking at the games at Excelsior, he looked better and better in this regard also.
What other elements to his game are there?
AZ Fan Page: Apart from his creativity and passing, Goudmijn is known for his work ethic and determination. He is a hard-working player who is always willing to put in the effort for his team. His ability to read the game and make intelligent decisions on the pitch is another valuable aspect of his game.
The Championship is a very demanding league. Do you think Goudmijn is ready for the physicality and pace of the Championship?
AZ Fan Page: Adapting to the physicality and pace of the Championship will be a significant challenge for Goudmijn. While he has the technical skills and football intelligence to succeed, he will need to work on his physical attributes to cope with the demands of the league. However, given his work ethic and determination, there is a good chance he can rise to the challenge and adapt over time.
Do you think he can be a success in England with Derby?
AZ Fan Page: Goudmijn has the potential to be a success in England with Derby County. His creativity, vision, and technical ability can make a significant impact in the Championship. If he can adapt to the physical demands of the league and continue to develop his defensive skills, he could become a key player for Derby. One thing is important though: Derby needs to play a good passing game for him to have the most impact.
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