Sargent, Núñez, Idah and Omobamidele should be retained. The last two are young players with immense potential. I have more faith in these than any players Webber is likely to recruit. Hanley, McLean, Gibson and Rowe should also stay, as we were doing well enough until they were injured. I'd rather recruitment focused on a new striker, DM and CB rather than scatter shoting at wholesale replacements.
Gibbs needs to get in the gym though, or play higher up the pitch. He gets knocked off the ball so easily.
I agree with you about Gunn, Mumba and Gibbs, and would possibly add Omo to them. He did not progress the way many hoped he would this year, but he's very young and he had a lot of responsibility placed on his young head. Hopefully that will pay dividends later, though. Regarding Sara, personally I'd take 'the bird in the hand' approach. We know we have a good player and even if we get 15m for him, there's no saying that money won't get wasted again. It's not just the potential he has shown himself, but also the way he lifted the performance of McLean (who seems certain to be on the team sheet next season). I know it's a small sample of games but we seemed close to a competitive midfield (at least at Championship level) when Wagner played them there with Sorensen.
I was thinking after yet another penalty shout was waved away on Sunday . Did we even get 1 this season ? https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/championship/topErhalteneElfmeter/wettbewerb/GB2
Up until McLean was injured before the Blackburn game the midfield was doing very well with Kenny and Sara working the ball out of defence and getting it forward to the attacking players. When Hanley and Gibson were both injured the following week, it all began to fall apart and confidence drained from the young players left to carry on with Omobamidele as captain at the age of 20. We need to add more experience and steel to a young team, focusing on Pukki's replacement(s) and quality and experience at DM and CB so we don't get caught out again. Potential for the future is all very well, but we need need experienced players who can get results now.
Thought I'd put together a list of some free agents perhaps worthy of consideration this summer. I've tried to focus on players aged 30 or younger: Jack Stacey (RB, 27, Bournemouth) - Championship and Premier League experience, capable of playing as a RB in a back 4, or RWB. Nampalys Mendy (DM, 30, Leicester) - 96 Premier League appearances but clearly out of favour and out of contract. Matty Longstaff (CM, 23, Newcastle) - No idea if he's at the requisite level, he's played as much in League Two as the Premier League, and nothing in between. Jed Steer (GK, 30, Villa) - Reasonable Championship experience, would "coming home" help reduce his wage demands? Would likely be backup rather than competition for Gunn, but has experience at this level. Tom Davies (24, CM, Everton) - Needs to rebuild his career, could be an interesting addition. You'd hope he's capable of dominating performances at this level. Oliver Abildgaard (26, DM, Hellas Verona) - "Celtic flop" apparently, but he's been turning in solid performances in Serie A for Verona, and it wouldn't be the first time Norwich have rehabilitated a Celtic flop. Good in the air (he's 6ft4) and at making interceptions. The Athletic described him as "defensively diligent and technically gifted" last summer. Ben Wiles (24, CM, Rotherham) - Rotherham blocked a move to Burnley last summer, out of contract this year. Mitchell Dijks (30, LB, Vitesse) - Knows the club, would he come back?
Unfortunately no strikers on you list. A couple of interesting names there though. Steer was highly thought of when competing with Declan Rudd in the 23's, but has not had a great career since it seems. A 6'4" DM would certainly increase the height of our diminutive side.
Nice one DH. Stacey look like a possible replacement for Aarons if he leaves, with Mumba pressing for starts as well. Abildgaard also looks likely, and his height would help us against long ball teams. They would be my choice as both are at a good age, experienced, and we'd have two Danes fighting for the DM shirt! Vikings rule!
https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-norwich-city-agree-deal-to-sign-ashley-barnes/ Sources: Norwich City agree deal to sign Ashley Barnes Norwich City are set to sign Burnley striker Ashley Barnes on a free transfer, sources have told Football Insider. The Canaries have reached a full agreement with the 33-year-old forward and a deal is set to be finalised soon
Irish CB 21 years old https://the72.co.uk/2023/05/11/norw...terested-in-derby-county-man-says-journalist/
Not a new signing, but the player I'm keen to see next season is Bali Mumba: "The 21-year-old was recently revealed as the Pligrims' players' player of the season, having already won the League One young player of the year accolade at the EFL's annual awards. City head coach David Wagner has confirmed that Mumba is part of his plans for next season, as he looks to overhaul a squad that finished 13th in the Championship." https://www.pinkun.com/news/23515053.norwich-city-bali-mumba-interview-plymouth-argyle-pots-award/
In a word, yes, but I'm ok with Barnes being signed, given the youth of our other strikers. We have a limited budget and have to make the most of it as we need more grit and determination throughout the squad.
Underwhelmed by Barnes signing. He is 33, same age as Pukki when he left CR. Pukki came on a free transfer, but was only 28 when he arrived. This is a huge gamble (as was Pukki) and I only hope it pays off.
Madividi sounds like bullshit, decent Arsenal trainee he's 24, English so no work permit issues looks to have failed in France & Montpellier want to recoup some money on him.
