- Makama’s breakout season ended prematurely after suffering ankle injury.
- Pink Un reports Lee Carsley planned to call Makama into England’s squad.
- Young Lions manager personally told Makama he earned international place.
Norwich’s 2025/26 campaign will be remembered for many things, both good and very bad, but among the former will be the fact that it was the breakout season for Jovon Makama.
Having joined City with a reputation as a raw but high-ceiling talent, the young striker exploded into the Championship scene this season, becoming the team’s focal point until he suffered that season-ending injury.
Breakthrough year
It was a slow-burner at first as he found his Championship sea legs, but soon Makama’s rise was characterised by a rare blend of physical power and good technique.
He served his apprenticeship, as so many City centre-forwards do, as a wide-right attacker, but became the number one striker once Josh Sargent decided he no longer wished to play for Norwich City.
By early February, he had netted 13 goals in all competitions, and his hold-up play, aligned with his strength and pace, had made him a nightmare for Championship defenders.
Injury heartbreak
And then, of course, came the injury: a broken bone in his foot sustained in City’s 2-0 home win against Blackburn.
City fans hoped it was merely a knock but a high-grade syndesmosis injury that required surgery was the official diagnosis, which ended his season there and then.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for both him and the club.
Enter Lee Carsley…
Little did Makama know at the time, but he subsequently learned that he was on the verge of an international call-up.
In conversation with Connor Southwell of the Pink Un, England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley revealed that he made a point of reaching out to the forward to discuss his international future.
Connor revealed how Carsley spoke to Makama and informed him that he would have been a “guaranteed selection” for the March international break and the upcoming U21 European Championship qualifiers.
Carsley praised Makama’s “fearless progression,” and told the former Lincoln City striker that his domestic form had made him the standout candidate to be part of the Young Lions squad:
“I told Jovon that he had earned that shirt … It’s a cruel blow for a player in such a rich vein of form, but our message was clear: his place in this setup is waiting for him once he’s back on the grass.”
Looking ahead
While his season may have ended with that foot in a protective boot, Makama’s stock has never been higher.
Now with the support of the England Under-21 coach and a Colney recovery plan already in place, the 2026-27 season already looks a tantalising prospect for both Makama and City fans.
How high is Makama’s ceiling once he’s rid of that protective boot?
