Let’s take a look at four young players going forward at Norwich City who could potentially earn the club millions if they play their best football. It’s been a busy summer for David Wagner and the Canaries as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season in 2022/23. After back to back promotions in their first two seasons at the club, the Canaries were one of the favourites to win the Championship title in 2022/23, but they didn’t live up to expectations as they finished 13th in the table. With Dean Smith dismissed in December and the club sitting fifth in the league after a slump in form, results didn’t improve after Wagner was appointed in January. He won just seven out of 21 games in all competition last season, and he’ll be hoping for better results next season.
| Norwich City – 2023/24 Departures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Signed For | Loan/Permanent |
| Andrew Omobamidele | Nottingham Forest | Permanent (fee involved) |
| Max Aarons | AFC Bournemouth | Permanent (fee involved) |
| Milot Rashica | Besiktas | Permanent (fee involved) |
| Bali Mumba | Plymouth Argyle | Permanent (fee involved) |
| Kieran Dowell | Rangers | Permanent |
| Teemu Pukki | Minnesota | Permanent |
| Sam Byram | Leeds United | Permanent |
| Danel Sinani | FC St Pauli | Permanent |
| Michael McGovern | Hearts | Permanent |
| Tim Krul | Luton Town | Permanent |
| Christos Tzolis | F Dusseldorf | Loan |
| Jonathan Tomkinson | Bradford City | Loan |
| Abu Kamara | Portsmouth | Loan |
| Josh Martin | Without Club | Permanent |
Wagner will be hoping the productive summer transfer window is enough to turn their fortunes around and ensure a positive start to the Championship campaign. They won three of their opening five games in the league, so early signs have been positive.
The squad has a somewhat older feel to it, given the likes of Ben Gibson, Ashley Barnes, Grant Hanley, Kenny McLean, and Shane Duffy in their experienced spine.
However, here, we take a look at some of the younger players who could save them millions over the next few years if they can fulfill their potential at Carrow Road.
Jonathan Rowe
No example is more impressive than Jon Rowe, with Norwich’s latest academy star in electrifying form so far this season with five goals and an assist in six games at the start of what appears to be his real breakout campaign.
Having joined Norwich City as an 11-year-old, Rowe shone in the youth academy in East Anglia, being nominated for awards such as the Premier League 2’s Player of the Month in December 2021, which was enough for Dean Smith to award him with a first-team debut in the midst of their dismal 2021/22 campaign.
Featuring 12 times for the Canaries that year, he could’ve been expected to play more minutes last season – though only three games transpired, leaving the winger in the dark over his future at Carrow Road. Since then, he has not looked back and would likely command a large fee already, which could increase further by the end of the season with more games and development.
Kellen Fisher
Fisher arrived at Carrow Road from National League side Bromley this summer. The 19-year-old made his debut in the 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers in the Carabao Cup first round, providing the assist for Rowe’s injury-time winner.
Jack Stacey has been the Canaries’ first-choice right-back in the Championship so far this season, but after Max Aarons’ departure to Bournemouth, Fisher could be handed opportunities over the course of the campaign.
The pathway to first-team football is fairly clear for him as well, given Stacey’s age and contract situation, Fisher should continue to gain further senior minutes over the next couple of years, and is a player with a high ceiling already.
Tony Springett
Springett has been on the periphery of the Norwich first-team for a number of years, but he is set to be involved in a greater capacity this season. The 20-year-old came through the Canaries academy and even made his debut against West Ham United in the Premier League in May 2022.
He spent the second half of last season on loan with Derby County, making 11 appearances for the Rams before his temporary spell at Pride Park was cut short by an ankle injury in March.
Springett has featured regularly as a substitute in the early stages of the campaign and if he continues his progression, he will soon be pushing for a place in the starting line-up for years to come. The winger is another who could and should be handed more senior minutes.
Liam Gibbs
