Norwich City ended the 2019 summer transfer window with five first-team additions to their squad heading into the Premier League season.
The Canaries signed Ralf Fahrmann, Patrick Roberts and Ibrahim Amadou on loan, as well as landing Josip Drmic and Sam Byram on permanent deals.
However, only one of them made their debut against Liverpool as Norwich lost 4-1 on the opening day – with Josip Drmic coming on for Teemu Pukki towards the end of the game.
Fahrmann, Roberts and Byram were named on the bench and Amadou was not involved in the squad, having only signed a few days before the match.
So, should Daniel Farke hand Amadou a debut this weekend against Newcastle?
His versatility suggests that he has a good chance. Amadou can play as a centre-back or as a holding midfielder, which offers Farke the chance to bring him in for Grant Hanley or Tom Trybull.
Hanley was given a WhoScored rating of just 4.99/10 against Liverpool, after scoring an own goal and recording zero tackles or interceptions during the game.
This could lead to Farke bringing Amadou in at the back to solidify Norwich’s defence in the absence of Timm Klose and Christoph Zimmermann – who were above Hanley in the pecking order last term.
Trybull, meanwhile, was too easily bypassed in midfield and was taken off in the 70th minute with a knock. Whilst this may have been a precaution, Amadou could be forced in if Trybull is not fully fit.
Amadou’s flexibility could also lead to some interesting tactical decisions from Farke. If he was to start as a defensive midfielder, Farke could deploy him as a third centre-back in possession to defend against counter-attacks with Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons pushing up down the flanks to create overlaps going forward.
This could be the best plan of action for Norwich, as it leaves them with more cover at the back whilst also keeping the attacking threat which served them so well in the Championship last season.
