The question over Nathan Redmond’s evident potential seems to be raised a lot these days. Now that he is back playing in the Premier League and impressing for England at under-21 level, there have been many touting him for a senior England call up.
Redmond may only be 21-years-old, but he seems to have been around for ages. He has been tipped as one of England’s next stars for many years now and is really starting to repay the faith that Norwich and England have shown in him.
He has started life back in the Premier League extremely well with Norwich, scoring three goals in five starts so far this season, with an assist to add on top. Perhaps even more impressively, the winger has contributed to 12 Norwich goals in his last 14 appearances.
Redmond scored a long-range dipping shot versus Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season and a rounded off a fine move for Norwich with a nice first time finish inside the box away at Sunderland. The third then came in the 2-2 draw with West Ham this weekend, firing the ball into the corner from inside the penalty area. These three goals mean Redmond has three times as many goals in the Premier League this season than he had in the entirety of the only other season he endured in the league, when Norwich were relegated, and he scored just one goal.
He joined Norwich for around £3m from Birmingham just over two years ago and whereas he may not have paid Norwich back in his first season at the club, he more than made up for it last season. Redmond was pivotal to our promotion back to the top flight last season and scored some crucial goals, including one at Wembley in the play off final. His playoff final goal was also voted by Norwich fans as their goal of the season last year and I concur. A superb team goal that ended with a special touch and finish from the young winger.
He featured 47 times for Norwich last season, amassing an impressive six goals and thirteen assists. He was in the top three for assists in the Championship last season and looked a real threat in the majority of games.
Nathan Redmond’s ability has never come into question. What has though, has been his final delivery and end product. In his first season with Norwich, he had so many wayward shots and crosses that went into row Z. This led to many fans becoming increasingly frustrated for the winger, who was only 19 at the time. He had a lot to learn in the game, and, still does. However he has certainly improved massively in the last two years and his end product is far more consistent than it previously was.
Redmond’s finishing and crossing has increased significantly in his time in Norfolk and as a result he has cemented his place in the Norwich team under Alex Neil and secured his place in the heart of fans with his performances.
It is just a question of how far Redmond can go now in the game, with Norwich or perhaps even higher. If he were to fulfill his potential and as many think, becomes an England regular, then the Norwich winger would surely be playing for a top-four Premier League side. Unfortunately, I can’t see Norwich being one of them sides any time soon.
Before Redmond can even think of becoming an England regular, he needs to make sure that he can have a few consistent Premier League seasons with Norwich City. His main focus this season should be keeping Norwich in the league. It is too soon for him to be thinking of France next summer as England have more experienced and more consistent players that are going to be on that plane to the European Championships.
The England U21 winger will of course have big ambitions, and generally he seems like a very down-to-earth guy, especially given his age. There is no doubt that he will get his head down this season and work hard on his game and try to improve as much as he can for Norwich during this Premier League campaign.
Redmond was on the bench versus West Ham after a few flat performances but offered the width Norwich lacked, looking sharp. He, and Norwich, were very unlikely to not have seen Redmond’s goal win the match, however, the goal is another indication as to what he adds to the team.
It is more than likely that Redmond will find himself being an impact substitute in a few games this season. The performances of Matt Jarvis and Robbie Brady, as well as the return of Olsson at left back, pushing Brady up field, have added to the competition for places out wide at Norwich.
Nathan Redmond will have to continue scoring and setting up goals if he is to retain his place in the side and will maybe even have his eye on a senior England call up when the International break comes around in a few weeks. However, as I have already alluded to, I still think it is too early for a senior call for Redmond just yet.
How far do you think Nathan Redmond can go in the game? Comment down below.
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