Canaries Blogs

Another Contract Extension, Jordan Rhodes And A German View Of Drmic

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Yesterday’s announcement that Ben Godfrey has signed a new four year deal with Norwich, with the club holding a further one-year option, is very good news.

When Daniel Farke said that young Ben had all the qualities to become a “World class centre back”, I think it’s fair to say there were a few looks of surprise amongst some.

Ben had just completed an excellent loan season at Shrewsbury Town, where he played as a defensive midfielder. He seemed to be the perfect replacement for Alex Tettey until Farke spoke publicly about him.

He had to wait for his chance, until December actually when Timm Klose pulled up injured in the warm-up of the home game against Bolton but he grabbed it with both hands and ten minutes notice and he hasn’t looked back.

What Norwich are cleverly doing, is to tie down their young players to long-term contracts and having just won promotion to the Premier League, they, apart from Todd Cantwell, are happy to sign on.

A full season in the Premier League is only going to enhance their reputations and develop them further as they test themselves against some of the best players in the world. After that, regardless of City’s league position and assuming they do well, then their value is going to skyrocket.

You only have to look at Aaron Wan Bissaka. One good season in the Premier League and he’s having a medical at Man United today after a reported £50m deal has been agreed with Palace.

So, an English ball-playing centre-back that also scores goals is going to be worth a fortune.

Let’s hope we stay up and he stays and develops here but if the worst should happen and Norwich are relegated then we either have a squad ready to go back up or some very valuable playing assets – or both, depending on your point of view.

I read the other day that Leicester value Harry Maquire at £80m.

The signing of Josip Drmic has rightly got City fans excited as a 26-year-old Swiss international striker joins the Canaries on a free transfer but is that the end of the striker reinforcements?

Jordan Rhodes is reportedly desperate to make the move to Norwich permanently and he’s still here with his family, having been spotted at the Royal Norfolk Show on Wednesday.

Rhodes would be a perfect addition to the squad, I would say, with Pukki and Drmic. He isn’t going to be the number one because, without doubt, Pukki is that.

Drmic will be looking to be the man challenging Pukki and Jordan would fancy his chances too but at 29 and with two years left on his contract at Sheffield Wednesday, coupled with a high salary, it’s going to be a big ask.

Here’s what Stuart Webber had to say about Rhodes a few weeks ago…

The fact that Rhodes has stayed in Norfolk with his family for the summer is interesting and Twitter is full of unsubstantiated rumours of another loan, which might work but that would put an end to any other domestic loans due to the rule of only being allowed two.

We’ll see.

Finally, the Tuck household has a visitor for the next week. My lad is taking part in a German exchange and our visitor, Cedric, arrived late on Wednesday night after a delayed flight. The poor fella got to ours at about 11.45 pm, fell into bed and was up at 7.00 am.

Cedric is a big football fan and he supports Bayern Munich and follows Chelsea (never mind). He loves the game and my son quizzed him in the car on the way home about Josip Drmic.

Ah, Yes, He was with gladbach.”

“Was he any good?” I asked.

“Not so much, he didn’t score many goals” came Cedric’s reply.

”He was injured a lot though, wasn’t he?” I asked desperately.

“Yes he was but even when he was fit he didn’t score many goals.”

Oh.

Let’s hope Drmic just needs a fresh start, eh?!

The school are taking them to Norwich today and they’re getting a tour of Carrow Road with a reciprocal tour of Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion happening when Callum goes to Germany in September.

By the time Cedric leaves, I intend to have turned him into a Norwich fan. Watch this space!

OTBC

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Editor - a forty something Canary, who has been following Norwich for 30 odd years. Family man with wife, kids, dog and a love of sport. Fan of Boxing, Vale 46, F1 and Rock.

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