Free Agents Norwich City Should Sign

Free Agents Norwich City Should Sign

With the announcement of retained and released players for Premier League clubs being tweeted by the Premier League Twitter account, there are a few names that Norwich City could potentially snap up. Be it on a long-term basis or just to stay for the season and look to propel us back to the Premier League for the 17/18 season.

The Championship seems to have become a playground for young players from the home nations to try and stake their claim to get into a lower mid table Premier League side, as well as a graveyard for veterans of the Premier League who used to be decent in it a couple of years ago. The players on this list fall into either category.

That said, Norwich City could well benefit from signing some easily acquired free agents to keep cash available for priority signings, while also adding to the depth of the squad to try and propel us back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Yet should they flop, selling them on would result in profit regardless of the transfer fee.

Nick Powell

At the tender age of 22 the young Attacking Midfielder could be a suitable heir to the Hoolahan shaped hole behind the striker for the next few years. With a reputation as being something of a ‘Loanee Journeyman’ at this early stage in his career he will no doubt be looking for a side he can cement himself into for a few years. With spells at Wigan Athletic (13-14) and Hull City (15-16) Powell has got Championship experience, however his season was thwarted by a knee injury sustained in the early stages of the season. But his Wigan record is impressive with 7 goals and 2 assists in his solitary season there as well as 6 games 3 goals and 1 assist for the Latics in the Europa League that season. Powell earned roughly £30,000 a month on his previous contract.

Brede Hangeland

One player who was at the top of his game with Fulham 5 years ago and at the age of 34 could be a useful leader in a dressing room crying out for one or two. Although he may be old and at the back end of his career I feel signing Hangeland on a free for a season just to have his influence and leadership qualities would be worth paying the £15,000 a week he would probably ask for. Although he has never played in the Championship Hangeland would be a reliable back up and would allow for a different option to Bassong or Martin when Klose or Bennett inevitably get injured, plus Brede has only ever been sent off once in his 9 Premier League seasons, something I feel underlines his level headedness.

Leon Osman

Another elder of the Premier League Osman is nearing his last season in the game at the age of 35 and I’d happily allow him his last hurrah in yellow and green. While 35 years of age is very old for a Central Midfielder in today’s game I feel he would have a similar impression on the side as Gary O’Neil had this season but with more flair and less mistakes. Another who’d command roughly £15,000 weekly I could see Osman for a season being a piece of business that would go quite smoothly under the radar, and could be a deal that brings in more experience and leadership to this egotistical NCFC team.

Steven Pienaar

Another of Everton’s old guard clear-out to make way for Koeman’s potential influx of foreign names with Everton’s new money. At the age of 34 Pienaar could be another who would be a decent cover for a squad very thin on natural wingers, he would be able to provide cover for an over worked Brady as well as a role model for the young Murphy twins should they get the chance to force their way into the side their form last season deserved. However Pienaar has struggled for appearances over the past two seasons and like Hangeland and Osman is definitely on his last legs. However I do see potential in signing him up on a short-term deal in case we have another poor summer window in which we fail to sign good players able to compete with the first team. The trio would be what free agent signings are supposed to be: squad players. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Pienaar would also probably sign for around £15,000 a week.

Gaston Ramirez

Although he seems to have been around for a while, some would be surprised to learn that Ramirez is only 25. The Uruguayan flopped after his big money move to Southampton at the age of 21 and has spent the last few years desperately trying to show off his talents on loan deals at Hull and Middlesbrough respectively, yet has seen his name on the bottom of the release papers for Southampton FC for 2015-16. Ramirez made 18 appearances for 'Boro in their promotion-winning season scoring on 7 occasions and assisting 4 times. The attacking midfielder would be another potential replacement for Hoolahan when he inevitably retires, which the Irishman has hinted could be as soon as after the Euros. Admittedly a gamble of a signing this free agent could turn out to be one free transfer nearly as shrewd as Bradley Johnson from Leeds back in 2011. I believe Gaston Ramirez would have to take a pay cut from his estimated £50,000 per week if he were to join the Canaries however.

Victor Anichebe

One that could split opinion the 28 year old target man would also be available on a free transfer this summer and I believe he could have a similar impact on the Championship next season as Jerome had in 14-15. While Anichebe has struggled this term for WBA I will admit he would probably be surplus to requirement if we were to bounce straight back the Premier League, however I can see Anichebe bagging 15-20 goals in the Championship and that could well prove the difference between going up and staying down. I hate to say it once more, but Anichebe would probably ask for around £15,000.

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Norwich City Season Awards

The end of the season is upon us and once again we are met with the all too familiar taste of disappointment and the frustration of what could, and possibly should, have been. Now, while this may be a difficult task after another miserably droll season for the second time in three: it is time to designate some awards to the best of a bad bunch.

Goal Of The Season:

Seb Bassong V Liverpool (H) 4-4 '92

A game that quite possibly defined our season: when Seb's sweet strike flew from his improbable left boot into the bottom right corner of Mignolet's already battered goal, it appeared we had saved the game and spared our blushes; and with that, Carrow Road erupted.

Given the situation it was scored in, how brilliant a strike it was and from such an unusual source, it was by far the most enjoyable goal of my season. Seb may have struggled at points this season but it can't be denied; when a clumsy left boot delivers such a sublime goal that truly raises the roof, it has to be applauded: even if his mistakes are one of many reasons the Championship welcomes us back next year.

Moment Of The Season:

Martin Olsson Newcastle United (H) 3-2 '93

Another left footed fluke from a sometimes error prone defender, Martin Olsson's left footed pile driver was by far the moment of the season. In the dying embers of a game we appeared to have thrown away, at home, again, Martin popped up to unleash a much needed thunderbolt into the bottom right corner. Dubbed a "must win" the tension inside Carrow Road was building as we waited for the final whistle and echoes of Geordie taunts, at having thrown away another 3 points at Carrow Road. Yet the strike came, it was sweet and the jubilation even sweeter as the tears streamed down the faces of the Magpies, it truly was one for sorrow. But from a canary’s point of view it was an electric moment.

Player Of The Season:

Gary O’Neil

While this may cause some controversy with opinion on the veteran midfielder being truly split amongst fans, I feel that Gary is worthy of the accolade, however in a relegation season is it really worth winning? While Gary has had his faults in a season laden with Norwich City mistakes, Stoke away for example. It should always be remembered that Gary O’Neil was not on anyone’s mind to be a regular fixture in our Premier League season, yet took his opportunity with both hands. His passing at times this season was immense and his tough tackling, never say die leadership on the pitch was something we have sorely missed since the sale of Grant Holt. While he may not be the most fashionable footballer, in my opinion he was our best on a regular basis. Gary O’Neil: Player of the Season.

Most Improved player:

Martin Olsson

I haven’t always been a fan of the Swede and while it was muttered that he was on his way out of Carrow Road, I can’t say I’d have been too disappointed. I’ve never found him to be too reassuring at the back the same as the rest of our defence, but going forward he is undeniably a threat, if he suckers up enough courage to venture into enemy territory. However I spent the best part of the season believing Brady to be a better Left Back than Martin, until he returned from his injury. Towards the end of the season he seemed to have a new found confidence, more than likely received from his Newcastle winner, and at times in the final act of the Canary season, he looked like the player he has always been hyped up to be.

Biggest Flop:

Cameron Jerome

While it breaks my heart to say it about the first NCFC player to score at Wembley, he has been woeful this term. It was evident he wouldn’t knock in as similar tally to his Championship record, but the opportunities he squandered in the 14-15 campaign were a looming sign of things to come. Unfortunately for Cameron the chances he were presented with over the course of a game didn’t recede that much, but the goals dried quickly and he has hauled in a miserable 3 for the season. A hatful of crucial chances in crucial games for Cameron just can’t be papered over anymore and his season has been doomed to calamity ever since the OHK V Palace was ruled out. Sorry Cam.

Signing of the Season:

Robbie Brady

He ventured closer to Norwich airport as the season went on which unfortunately resulted in a rather non-existent last few games since he scored at the Hawthorns. While he may not have scored as many as we would have hoped, his chance creation was immense and he was undoubtedly the best option we had in multiple positions at times this season. Commanding the same price tag as the likes of Bradley Johnson, Lewis Grabban and Steven Naismith says it all about the man. Robbie is definitely Signing of the Season.

Win of the Season:

Man United (A) 1-2

I decided on this game for two reasons: firstly we never win at Old Trafford and is probably the biggest scalp of our torrid season; and secondly because I’m bored of talking about either Liverpool or Newcastle at home. We showed in that game something we lacked for the rest of the season, solidity in defence and clinical finishing upfront. Plus winning against Man United is always entertaining and the result did enough for some of our more optimistic supporters to believe we would stay up.

Team Of The Season:

4-2-3-1

GK: Ruddy- Neither GK was any good, Rudd was too indecisive and scared of making key decisions, and John was only willing to show his dominant, aggressive side on Prince of Wales Road. John just because he played more games and therefore more clean sheets.

RB: Pinto- Ivo was dire when he first signed but did have a good last few games when he got more confidence and was even my MOTM V Man Utd; another who was just best of a bad bunch.

CB: Bennett- Always pretty reliable and didn’t make too many mistakes, I rate Ryan Bennett and believe he could be a quality centre half for us for a few years to come.

CB: Klose- He didn’t woo me straight away and I did question some of the hype until we played Man City, his injury could well have been the straw that broke the relegation camel’s back.

LB: Olsson- Most improved player should make the XI.

CDM: Howson- He had a shaky start to the season but as it wore on became his consistent self. Future NCFC captain in my eyes.

CDM: O’Neil- Player of the season also has to be in the XI.

RM: Redmond- As much as he frustrates me and I do wonder why he plays sometimes, at other times this season he has shown glimpses of his potential, plus he’s the only out and out RM we have.

CAM: Hoolahan- Wes is our best player still. This is good and bad for us but once again he has showed his worth to us by being our top assist maker; we only one once this season without him in the starting XI.

LM: Brady- Signing of the season.

ST: Mbokani- It’s a shame Mbokani’s spell here ended the way it did. Joint top goal scorer with 6 is nothing to write to Ukraine about, but the top scoring striker should be up there.

Luke Keeler