Both videos are excellent Suffolk and he seems to have all of the attributes of a promising AM: Speed, strength, height (6'), passing ability, off the ball movement, calm under pressure and a good footballing brain.
Another name being mentioned as us being interested is Martin Braithwaite of Barcelona. Thirty years old though so not sure about this, but has been told he will not play next season with Agueros arrival.
I'd think age and wages would rule that out and I wonder whether Rashica's ability to play as a striker is a sufficient option for that position.
Shades of Emi with that instant look for a through ball, the interesting thing for me is that he is 6ft and described as having strong aerial ability which could be a very useful addition. Looks a very promising one for the next year or so
The good thing, IMO, about the signings so far is none of them screams "paying top dollar to stay in the Premier League". No doubt we will get slagged off for it again, but it shows the key is staying solvent.
Sometimes not even looking, like the perfect layoff to a team mate coming from behind to provide a shooting chance. The speed and height are an unusual combination in an AM. Very promising.
Club record signing though, so we haven't been penny pinching and we don't know what Ajer or others might cost.
Seems we've struck a real coup with the signing of Rashica, according to a Kosovan football expert, he is of Champions League quality https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/spo...ansfer-nick-ames-guardian-reflections-8084938
Getting to know Flynn Clarke: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/202...ant-wait-to-show-the-fans-what-im-capable-of/ Likes to take his insperation from players such as Mason Mount & Jack Grealish
Rashica's potential seems to be sky high, but much depends on how quickly he can settle in and gel with the other players. Getting the deal sorted early will help immensely as will a full pre-season. At 24, he is rising towards his peak years and this could be a real coup for SW and his team. I can't help thinking back to RvW though, so I'm staying cautious about buying into any hype, but I'm very hopeful. We have the players and style of play to suit his skills and strengths.
Interesting look at what Billy Gilmour might bring if his expected transfer goes through next week: https://thisisfutbol.com/2021/06/bl...rwich-city-podcaster-discusses-billy-gilmour/ His ability to play as a CM or DM as well as a deep lying playmaker opens up a myriad of possibilities. This could also prove to be a breakthrough signing - fingers crossed.
Just read a piece from a Celtic blogger Hail Hail 67 on NewsNow Norwich concerning the possible transfer of Kristoffer Ajer. I quote:” ...... However, it seems like more of a risk than an ambitious leap, and in terms of stature, it’s a step down from playing at Celtic”. Discuss.
I read that earlier - they don't like losing their players (who does?). They were the same about Hooper when he came to us.
I'm hoping that Ajer might be announced tomorrow as it's said to be imminent. That and Gilmour's expected signing next week when his isolation finishes would see us having significantly strengthened all aspects of the squad - attack, midfield, defence and GK.
In the transfer market, remarkably, we're now a bigger club than Celtic. Rashica, Naismith, Klose all cost more than their record signing, (Ajer will too), and in the last 20 years they haven't signed anyone else who cost more than RvW, Brady, Gibson, Pritchard or Wildschut. In terms of outgoings, Tierney their record departure at £24m, less than Buendia and Godfrey went for. Of their 25 biggest player sales, I think at most 3 were to clubs playing European football at the time. It's clear the Premier League is a much greater draw than Celtic in Europe, and fundamentally, it seems like a ceiling on the careers of their players. No matter how well you play for Celtic, mid-table Premier League is probably a necessary move in order to attract the attention of the big boys. We're not "bigger" than Celtic, we don't have their titles or history - but none of that really matters to those living in the present and trying to do the best for themselves.
Sadly it looks like Ajer will be going to Germany for Champions League football. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-kristoffer-ajer-celtic-transfer-update-8086994 'Cooling our interest' looks like a euphemism for losing out in the race, or that Ajer and/or Celtic want more than we're prepared to pay. Pity.
MFW have a challenging article on where we need to go from here: https://norwichcity.myfootballwrite...anges-midfield-playmakers-and-alex-pritchard/
