Norwich continued their trend of Championship domination (and likely will struggle again in the Premier League) last season and managed to do so by continuing to give thousands of minutes of football to U23 players. Max Aarons and Oliver Skipp, loaned in from Tottenham, were the key players while the likes of Todd Cantwell and Jacob Lungi Sorenson also saw plenty of first team action.
Norwich’s results at U23 and U18 level have suffered due to their promotion of youth talent but that is a preferable situation than having good players rot in reserve. The fact that promotions are so common actually means Norwich’s best youth talent rarely play at youth level - a trend that can be seen in many of the best academies across the country with coaches favouring training with the first team instead of playing with the U23s.
This is one of the best breeding grounds for young players in the country - Jamal Lewis, Max Aarons, Ben Godfrey and Todd Cantwell are recent examples of this along with the bought in talent such as Emi Buendia developing well at Carrow Road. The calibre of player still lurking around suggests this pipeline is not dry.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Joe Rose |
| CB | Jonathan Tomkinson |
| CB | Andrew Omobamidele |
| RB | Bali Mumba |
| LB | Rob Nizet |
| CM | Reece McAlear |
| CM | Nelson Khumbeni |
| CM | Melvin Sitti |
| RW | Tony Springett |
| LW | Josh Giurgi |
| CF | Abu Kamara |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Jayden St Paul |
| CB | Lewis Shipley |
| CB | Brad Hills |
| RB | Harry Pitcher |
| LB | Ola Okeowo |
| CM | Harry Brooke |
| CM | Solomon Alidor-Hamilton |
| CM | Saxon Earley |
| RW | Joe Duffy |
| LW | Oscar Thorn |
| CF | Kenneth Aboh |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Adam Idah
- Position: CF
- Age: 20
- Nationality: Irish
Cork-born centre forward Adam Idah is a full Irish international who is set to have a breakout season in the Premier League. Having scored six goals in less than five hundred minutes last season, Idah has earned the opportunity to stake a real claim on Norwich’s starting lineup this time around. Having joined Norwich from Corinthians in 2017, Idah has quickly become the top talent in the youth system. He has a lanky frame but doesn’t rely on his height, with dribbling and finishing far more part of his game and is often seen drifting out onto the right wing to drive at full backs and cut the ball back to onrushing midfielders. Idah’s first team promotion has long been predicted but, with the outstanding cameo appearances from last season in the bank, 2021/22 should finally be the year that it happens.
Andrew Omobamidele
- Position: CB
- Age: 19
- Nationality: Irish
Another full Irish international at just eighteen years old, Omobamidele follows in the footsteps of Ben Godfrey and fought his way into the Norwich team at the end of last season. Despite a physical similarity - he’s a similar height but slightly stockier than Godfrey - Omobamidele possibly has some even more interesting attributes. He is a ‘football first’ type of centre back, has excellent close control, doesn’t panic when being closed down (he is often able to play his way out of trouble or use a burst of pace to counter the press) and is an excellent short passer. Having signed a new contract and starting pre-season as a first choice defender, Omobamidele may be able to hold onto his end of season form and start the season in the heart of the Canaries’ defence.
Bali Mumba
- Position: RB
- Age: 19
- Nationality: England
Mumba was a highly touted prospect at Sunderland but the Black Cats strangely hesitated over exposing him to first team football, despite their struggles. The central midfielder turned right back instead chose to head to Norwich than stick it out at the Stadium of Light and so far it looks a wise decision with Mumba well placed to earn minutes in the Premier League having broken into the Norwich side late last season. The England U19 international made four appearances and was on the bench for a further ten, hinting that he is on the verge of a breakout campaign - although stepping up to the Premier League may limit that chance and a lot will depend on the future of Max Aarons. Mumba has a lot of the same attributes as Aarons, a flying full back who looks to attack the penalty area rather than whip in crosses. Mumba signed a new contract this off-season tying him to Norwich for the next five years.