Derby County finds themselves in a strong position in the Championship table as the season’s second international break approaches.
Derby’s 2-0 victory over QPR on Saturday moved them up to 12th in the Championship, after four wins and five losses in their first six games.
The Rams have transformed Pride Park into a fortress, maintaining four clean sheets and surrendering only three goals in their contentious defeat to Norwich City.
Several players have contributed to their strong start since promotion, with three emerging as Paul Warne’s greatest performers so far in 2024/25.
Kenzo Goudmijn has been excellent for Derby
Midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn arrived at Derby as a relative unknown, having been signed at a bargain £600,000 from Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar.
However, the 22-year-old has quickly impressed the Rams fans with his remarkable midfield displays, particularly his tremendous passing range and eye for goal.
Goudmijn has distinguished out as a player who performs well even when Warne’s side struggles in games, exuding class and talent in possession of the ball.
The Dutch maestro is crucial in the build-up phase of assaults since he is capable of breaching lines with his passing and arriving late in the box, having scored twice thus far.
Jacob Widell Zetterstrom
Derby knew they needed to replace Joe Wildsmith, the League One goalie who preserved 20 clean sheets.
So, when Jacob Widell Zetterstrom arrived in August, many hoped he would be a top-tier goalkeeper and a suitable replacement for Wildsmith.
Zetterstrom hasn’t merely replaced the 28-year-old; he’s utterly blown him away with some incredible performances.
According to Sofascore, the Swedish giant has demonstrated his great shot-stopping abilities and exhumed aura between the sticks by conceding only 1.1 goals per game and making 15 saves from within the box.
Zetterstrom has earned a spot in the top three on this list and will be critical to Derby’s survival this season.
Curtis Nelson
Curtis Nelson was a gigantic presence alongside Eiran Cashin when Derby won promotion to the Championship last season, and the towering defender has maintained his good form.
The Englishman is an imposing figure in both defence and attack, and the 31-year-old has contributed to the Rams’ great set-piece record, scoring in the defeat to Blackburn and Saturday’s victory over QPR.
Warne praised Nelson’s ‘unbelievable’ performance against QPR, where his bullet header put the hosts ahead and guided them to a fourth home win.
Nelson’s outstanding combination with Cashin provides Warne’s side with a platform to avoid relegation.
