Norwich CEO David McNally has made up his mind. It’s the “British way” moving forward for recruiting new City personnel. McNally recently said the club would look for incoming transfers that have CVs packed with British footballing experience. Is that good or bad? Can it be both….?
First thoughts: as an American, I originally was disappointed from the CEO’s comments. Sure, proven players are the safe, conservative way toward Premier League safety, but the comments didn’t exactly ignite any excitement.
Perhaps it’s because I’m an outsider looking in. If misjudged, McNally’s statement reads as close-mindedness—a mentality that doesn’t scream “attractive, exciting football.”
But maybe McNally has a fair point…
For as much as I’d love to see City go out and acquire new, unseen talent for Colney, there are a variety of issues that can ensue. The most obvious, yet often the most overlooked, is the cultural barrier. Sure, it’s easy to degrade a forward producing a debut season as pitiful as Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s, but we don’t have complete access to the player. For as much as Norwich fans were disappointed in their record-signing, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was more disappointed in himself.
And that’s what McNally is avoiding here. Norwich have gone out and brought in great international players, but most still have a British background. Cameroonian international Sebastien Bassong and Swedish left-back Martin Olsson were two excellent signing from the board. Both were already based in England. Other than American-based Kei Kamara and Javier Garrido’s productive one season on loan from Lazio, the only City player to come from abroad and consistently succeed is Alex Tettey, a Ghanaian-born Norwegian international City bought from Rennes in France. (Well done, Chris Hughton.)
Which means there have been many non-British players signed that have been duds. We’ve already mentioned van Wolfswinkel, although he may have a born-again season with manager Alex Neil. But forward Kyle Lafferty, who came from Palermo, already admitted he had a dismal introduction in yellow and green. Leroy Fer was a one-off signing, who might lace up in the Championship next season, ironically. Then there’s Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe, who was hurt for the majority of the season, only making a ripple when City could’ve used a splash.
By committing to British-based talent, the board have made it clear they’re going for signings that will make an immediate impact, while also avoiding any number of issues a foreigner may unearth. Neil, of course with a Scottish background, has already mentioned players he’s interested in from Scottish Premier League football. Manchester City’s Celtic loanee John Guidetti rings a bell. Crystal Palace man/Russell Martin foe James McArthur has voiced his backing of Neil, the English Premier League’s youngest manager.
I guess the main thing is to scout talent that will add to the side. Regretably, Neil’s old teammate Tony Andreu doesn’t seem equipped for the task, but McNally and company can still fine quality players already here. Youssouf Mulumbu rumours have already swirled around. (I wouldn’t mind a bid at Bakary Sako, who is out-of-contract but demanding hefty wages.)
So maybe McNally was right. Even if it wasn’t the word-choice I originally hoped to read.
