That's pretty much my view, Rob. His WhoScored rating at DM/CM is 6.78 which isn't bad in a struggling team and he can play anywhere along the left flank, so could also provide cover at LB. I'd see him competing with McLean in the DM/CM role as another left-footed option and we certainly need to strengthen in midfield after the departure of Vrančić and Tettey. 25 of his appearances were at DM/CM and only 2 were WL or WR, which is something David Freezer seemed to miss in his analysis.
Arsenal are the most expensive season tickets in the World and they are going to outsmart their rivals by signing free transfers. Man City must be ****ting themselves. https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-transfers-ryan-bertrand-edu-20647964
He’s also English and as available on a free would be a back up option which could help our Home Grown numbers
So with Klose not going to Basel, that means we will have another centre back on the books without spending a penny, unless we loan him out again. I know he’s not quick, but his height has always been a great weapon and he’s class with the ball at his feet. The main problem has been keeping him fit.
There's nothing on the Official site, but according to Paddy Davitt: "Klose is not part of the Canaries' Premier League plans, with City in the market for a centre back to compete with Grant Hanley, Ben Gibson and Christoph Zimmermann. While Republic of Ireland youth international Andrew Omobamidele impressed in an extended run towards the end of the Championship title-winning campaign." I'm always a bit sceptical when Pinkun journos make these sort of announcements, so will wait until we get one from the club. https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwich-city/canaries-timm-klose-fc-basel-loan-end-7994110
I don't know about everyone else, but I'd be seriously pissed off if he ended up at either Villa or Leeds. We finished above both of those clubs in fairly recent history, so in what sense would that be a progressive move for Emi?
Agreed. His quality means that he should be expecting to go to a club the size of Arsenal at a bare minimum.
https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-celtic-terminate-contract-of-ntcham-in-shock-move/ Don't know the reasons behind this move, but potentially interesting to NCFC?
He's the sort of player (CM/DM/AM) that we've been linked with. Celtic paid ManCity £4.5m for him but he's only made 4 appearances on loan to Marseille since January. Might there be a temperament problem?
It was basically confirmed when we sent him out on loan at age 32 when we were facing a new Championship season. He's a massively positive person and influence on the changing room but i'll be amazed if he's in the PL squad.
I think you have to look at how SW & DF have operated over the last 3 years, what they've said about the general direction the club's going in and how they intend to improve things next season before drawing your own conclusions. For me the message I'm getting is, the squad will be smaller, we will continue to have a strong focus on recruiting younger developing players and will only be bring in established players who are an improvement on what we have and improve our match day squad. I don't think SW has actually come out and said Klose isn't in our future plans, but I wouldn't expect him to as it's not how he operates. I think the fact that he went out on loan last season is a strong indicator. I think the club are clearly looking to recruit a CB, probably a left footed one, but I don't think we're looking at one whose in the twilight of their career. If I was to guess I would say we're looking at a ball playing possibly left footed CB or at least one that can play on the left or the right, who is strong in the air, in their early / mid 20's, who for whatever reason we feel hasn't reached their full potential yet or is a free agent / coming to the end of their contract, who we think if not immediately can in a reasonable period of time challenge for a starting place in the team. Kristoffer Ajer from Celtic would seem to fit the bill, although he's right footed he can play left CB as well as DM & RB. His contract expires 31/05/22. He's Norwegian so hopefully if we are interested Tettey can put in a good word for the club. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/profil/spieler/328658 Time will tell.
Article this morming in the Athletic about Pritchard finding himself a free agent, is he the sort of lost his way but highly talented british player we could use as back up or to compete with Todd/Emi/Dowell? The club will know him and his temperament, he must have somethingto prove and maybe now he will be ready to see a good few years at progressive club might be just what he needs. For us he has the technical ability to play Farke ball, but does he have the; work rate, defense and physical stature we need for the upcoming PL season? And should you ever go back? Bah!
Not for me. I'm pretty much against having any player back once they've moved on, although I would never say never. Footballing ability aside I don't think Pritchard has the mindset SW & DF are looking for in a player and I'm far from convinced he's good enough either. I would also say that he doesn't appear to fit in with what I think are SW's & DF's goals are for this transfer window. I can see him going to a lower Championship club.
Looks like there may be competition for Ajer's from Newcastle & Leicester, assuming of course we are interested. https://the72.co.uk/236782/newcastl...wich-city-linked-kristoffer-ajer-from-celtic/
Can't see Buendia being still with us a the close of the transfer window. Would be great to see him a the centre of a bidding war. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/emi-buendia-transfer-latest-arsenal-aston-villa-7995270 https://theathletic.com/news/buendia-transfer-arsenal-aston-villa/uyfWzSeHWSUZ
