Exclusive: Derby County told to avoid Brentford transfer agreement - It will "disturb" the team | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie was clear about what needs to happen regarding Jacob Widell Zetterstrom

Derby County have been urged to reject any potential £3.5m approach from Brentford for their Swedish number one Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.

Thomas Frank's side are apparently willing to bid that amount as they seek competition for Caoimhín Kelleher, according to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon.

The 27-year-old keeper joined from Djurgårdens on a three-year deal, for a fee reported to be around £1.4m rising to £2.2m. He played 87 times prior to his move to England, and featured in the UEFA Conference League.

In his first three Championship games, Zetterstrom has conceded nine goals - and that included seeing five fly past him at Pride Park to ex-Rams manager Frank Lampard's Coventry City.

What Lee Hendrie has said about Derby County's Jacob Widell Zetterstrom leaving for Brentford

When speaking exclusively to FLW about Brentford's reported interest in Zetterstrom, Sky Sports' Lee Hendrie was clear about Derby's need to retain the Swedish international.

"I think they’ve got to keep him, I really do. I’m a firm believer in having a goalkeeper that you trust and believe in - and that’s why obviously Brentford want to try and take him, that they see potential there."

The former England international highlighted the disruption such a departure would cause to John Eustace's squad, "They do have to keep him because goalkeepers are hard to come by.

"They can come in, fit the bill, you’ve done all your prep and work over the summer, which John would’ve done, with your goalkeeper and your team, and now there’s potential he could leave the football club," Hendrie told FLW.

Aside from domestic football, Zetterstrom earned his first cap for Sweden in 2023 during a 2-1 friendly win over Iceland, saving a penalty but unable to keep the rebound out.

Jacob Widell Zetterstrom exiting Pride Park would "disturb the team"

Hendrie did acknowledge there could be some temptation of selling the 6ft 6in goalkeeper for £3.5m, but stressed just how big of an impact Zetterstrom leaving will have on the rest of the Rams squad.

"Yeah £3.5m, but it just disrupts and disturbs the team, and you’ve got to bring someone in who’s going to be well worthy of replacing him," Hendrie said.

Disregarding the poor defensive form for 25/26, Derby only conceded more than one expected goal in just two of their final 11 matches under Eustace - Zetterstrom would've probably featured in all of them if it wasn't for his fractured eye socket.

"He has had a good spell at Derby, and you start to think if they get rid of him, they’ll have to replace quite quickly as well," Hendrie concluded.

Ultimately, Zetterstrom's contract runs until 2027, so the Rams won't really be forced to get rid of him at any stage, especially when considering the current goalkeeping setup at the club.

The Swede is obviously first-choice at Derby, but Josh Vickers has served as very good backup when called upon, keeping three clean sheets in six league games last season.

Then, with Richard O'Donnell joining this summer to become third-choice, there seems to be absolutely no reason why Derby would sell Zetterstrom to upset their GK union unless he's asked to go himself.