That got me thinking about our 2013 Fa Youth Cup winning squad. Jacob Murphy is the only member of that squad currently playing in the Prem, Toffolo could make it two. Speaking of Jacob, potentially on the move this summer? Remarkably, he's contracted to Newcastle until 2027, which would be his testimonial year with them. If the likes of Onel, Placheta and/or Rashica leave, might he provide a wide option and help address the left/right balance in our squad? Murphy is surely surplus to requirements at Newcastle, and a strong Championship season might could lead to a chance with a different team in the Premier League. A straight loan, or loan-to-buy could work in our favour. My understanding of the loan rules are that we can loan two over-23's from a single club, and up to four players in total from a single club. So we could have Murphy and Hayden, but then not add Gayle (for example).
At the time my eldest had a house about 200 yards from the Lincoln ground. She is now a Sqdn Ldr at RAF Waddington just outside Lincoln.
An actual rumour! https://fotbolti.net/news/01-07-2022/norwich-hefur-ahuga-a-kristal-mana 20 year old Icelandic Winger/Forward, Kristall Mani Ingason: https://www.transfermarkt.us/kristall-mani-ingason/profil/spieler/490971 Almost certainly one for the future if it comes off.
I'm struggling to get excited about another young player for the future who we buy, send out on loan and then never see again. What happened to that young Icelandic player a few years back - joined, went out on loan, then went back to Iceland.
Every single one of the academy youngsters to successfully break into our first team over the last five years -- Maddison, Lewis, Godfrey, Cantwell, Aarons -- was recruited and initially developed by previous (pre-2017) academy regimes. Yet our current reputation for identifying and developing young talent rests largely on the success of those five players. At the moment, you could say, the reality doesn't match the perception.
Isak Thorvaldsson. Out of curiosity looked him up. He's the league top scorer currently with 11 goals, 4 assists in just the first 10 games of the Icelandic league season, all scored from midfield. He also has 2 goals in 2 games for Iceland U21s having earned his first call-up in June. There's an English striker who has done well in the Icelandic league but in several stints in UK football has never managed much success in the National League, which might be an indication as to the level of the Icelandic league, but Thorvaldsson looks far too good for that league. Be interesting to see if he leaves Iceland again for professional football, I could imagine League 2/National League level teams taking an interest. Doesn't necessarily look like a failure of scouting/recruitment, but perhaps at 18 he just wasn't ready to be living abroad.
Idah was recruited from Corinthians in Ireland in 2017 and Omobamidele was recruited from Leixlip United in Ireland in 2019 while Mumba was signed the same year from Sunderland and McCallum from Coventry in 2020. Rowe and Springett have come up through our academy and there are others looking likely as well but they are all British players familiar with the game here. It's the dips into foreign youth leagues that have failed to impress.
Michael Bailey's pre-Dereham article on transfers has some mildly interesting points: Expect 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations next season, with the midfielder Norwich recruit able to play alongside Hayden in a 2-man midfield, and on the right of a midfield 3 with McLean the third man. Norwich were not interested in Scott Twine or Conor Hourihane. "Norwich hope their two midfield signings — once completed — will underline why they have not been looking as low as League One for incomings this window." Two midfielders? "It remains to be seen whether domestic or European recruitment proves the next avenue. Norwich have looked at both in their summer recruitment work and while nothing is imminent or rubberstamped, deals for players have progressed on both fronts." Gibbs, Flynn Clarke likely to need loans to get game time.
A lot of words to say very little that isn't already obvious to most people. We'll have to wait and see about: "while nothing is imminent or rubberstamped, deals for players have progressed on both fronts."
Thanks to DH, Robbie and others who subscribe to The Athletic and summarise any articles about NCFC on there.
For those who'd like to have a look at the Icelandic wunderkind we've been liked with: The MFW argument: https://norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/2022/07/04/kristall-mani-ingason-is-he-worth-the-punt/ The compilation video of goals: Another of his all round game: Could be worth a gamble on the basis of this evidence?
Seen a suggestion that Norwich are after 23 year old Lewis O'Brien from Huddersfield. And a rumour that Huddersfield are looking at Conor Hourihane. Played a fairly deep role for Huddersfield last season in a midfield pairing, sometimes as the DM. 3 goals 3 assists last season. Huddersfield were a low scoring team last season so you'd think that's something he'd look to improve on were Norwich to sign him. Quite a lot about that fits with rumours? If Michael Bailey had any inside knowledge, it would explain the "looking above League 1 comment", and 'knowing' Norwich aren't after Hourihane. Player has experience of the league, fits the requirements of the role, and is young enough to improve. I can see the logic?
Rumours about Mumba, too. Two more technically gifted players who don't score well on the lump-of-lard-ometer. EDIT: We used to argue that talented youngsters would come to Norwich because they knew that if they were good, they would get a real chance to make the regular first team. Young players are soon going to learn that you play for the u-23s, make a few appearances and look very promising, get loaned out to clubs in relegation battles, and then come back and get released/sold.
Yes, I should have said British Isles, Dunc. The point being that the language and culture is a smaller bridge to cross than that for European players.
I knew exactly what you mean Rick and you are correct, I know a few paddies that don't like being called British though
