Norwich have done well to keep hold of key players, but how far can they take the Canaries?

After relegation to the Championship following one season back in the top flight, you would’ve expected numerous high profile outgoings from Carrow Road this summer with a handful of players on the radars of Premier League clubs.

The likes of Lewis, Godfrey, Cantwell, Buendia and Aarons were all strongly linked with moves away, however only the first two names have left Norwich.

Jamal Lewis headed to Newcastle for around £15m and Ben Godfrey signed for Everton for a significant fee of around £25m. 

However, Todd Cantwell was poised for a move to Leeds, Aarons has been on the radar of Tottenham for a while now and Buendia certainly will have been on numerous Premier League clubs’ shortlists with the Argentine being one of the most creative players in the league last term. All of whom have remained at Norwich for the time being.

The winger’s talent was certainly on display in Norwich’s dramatic victory over Rotherham on Saturday, playing a role in both of the Canaries’ goals.

The 23-year-old displayed great vision with a defence splitting ball through to Max Aarons, who also showed the quality that has put his name on the shortlists of Premier League clubs such as Tottenham. The right-back’s cross proved too much to handle for the Rotherham defence and was turned in by Millers defender Michael Ihiekwe.

Buendia also won a penalty for the visitors deep into added time which was converted coolly by Jordan Hugill.

Cantwell missed the game with a knock but will also provide the Norwich frontline with added firepower that will be menacing for any Championship defence to deal with.

Even holding onto the likes of Tim Krul and Teemu Pukki was a boost for the Canaries with both players being key in Norwich’s title charge in 2018/19 and being two of few performers in the Premier League last season.

Pukki started the game from the bench after returning from international duty with Finland, but Krul showed why he’s arguably the best goalkeeper in the division with a number of strong stops as well as a penalty save.

Of the fourteen players who featured for Norwich on Saturday, eight were regulars in the side that impressed in the Championship en route to the title two seasons ago. 

This should excite Norwich fans and fill the team with hope as they have been able to keep hold of a strong core despite strong interest for a handful of players.

Who knows what they’ll go on to do this season? One thing is for sure though, they’re a much better outfit when they have the likes of Buendia, Aarons, Pukki, Cantwell and Krul involved.

 

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