- Makama made the leap from League One to Championship with ease.
- Signing from the lower leagues has benefitted Norwich in the past.
- How Norwich can unearth their next version of Jovon Makama.
Norwich City supporters have always, for as long as I have known, cried out for the club to sign ‘hungry’ players.
Instead of signing experienced stars on big wages who are near the end of their careers, fans want to see up-and-coming players who are hungry for success and to develop on the pitch.
Think back to the summer transfer window after Paul Lambert led Norwich to the Premier League. The likes of Anthony Pilkington, Elliott Bennett, Steve Morison, and Bradley Johnson all came from the Championship or League One.
Buying into the story
As current head coach Philippe Clement likes to put it, football is all about stories. Watching a group of hungry players who are desperate for success and to prove themselves at a higher level is a story that everyone can buy into.
That is not to say that experienced players do not have a place in the squad, of course, but a core of players who have something to prove is paramount to success in going from the Championship to competing successfully in the Premier League.
Norwich are writing a new story under Clement, one that we hope will include Premier League football in the future, and one of the main characters may end up being Jovon Makama.
How Norwich struck gold with Jovon Makama
Everyone likes a surprise signing during a transfer window and that is exactly what Makama was. Lincoln confirmed that he was not in their squad because of a pending move elsewhere, but there had not been any credible links to Norwich at that point.
It was then soon established that the forward was on his way to Carrow Road for a fairly modest fee of £1.2m to bolster then-manager Liam Manning’s squad.
Ben Knapper stated that the club moved for Makama because of his “quite unique profile and big potential”, and the deal has turned out to be a masterstroke by the sporting director.
Prior to his injury in February, the 22-year-old scored ten goals in 28 Championship games, starting 18 of those, and has played out wide on the right and through the middle as a striker.
Norwich identified his physical attributes and potential as a young player making his way in League One, with no prior experience in the Championship, and hit the jackpot by giving him a chance at a higher level.
Now, at 22, Makama still has time left ahead of him to develop and improve under Clement, with the hunger to eventually make it in the Premier League.
How Norwich can unearth their next Makama
Having seen the success of Makama this season and the success that Norwich have had in the past with similar deals, Knapper and Clement may explore more moves like that this summer.
Whilst not every player in League One has the tools to make the step up to the Championship, there are some gems in the third tier who could be interesting additions to Norwich’s squad.
Young and hungry players who are ready to take the next step and would be suited to being part of Clement’s ‘story’ at Carrow Road.
Lorent Tolaj
We at ReadNorwich have already suggested that Plymouth striker Lorent Tolaj would be an interesting signing if Mathias Kvistgaarden moves on from Norfolk.
The 24-year-old attacker has scored 16 goals in 28 League One matches this season, whilst also winning 51% of his aerial duels and displaying a physical profile that Clement may find appealing.
It remains to be seen what kind of striker Norwich will go for, but Tolaj would be an eye-catching target if they decide to go with a starting-calibre option.
Reyes Cleary
It is no secret that the Canaries have lacked genuine width in their squad this season. Ali Ahmed is currently the only available wide player for Clement.
Reyes Cleary has produced six goals and 12 assists in 26 League One starts as a left winger for Barnsley, and could be Norwich’s next Pilkington on the left wing.
He is 22, the same age as Makama, and could have the drive and hunger to join the Norwich story to realise an ambition to reach the Premier League.
Ethan Pye
Anyone who followed Brad Hills’ loan spell at Stockport County last season will be familiar with central defender Ethan Pye.
The left-footed centre-back partnered Hills last term and in the current campaign before the former Norwich man’s ACL injury, and has been a standout performer in League One.
Clement only has one left-footed centre-back, Jose Cordoba, in his current squad and signing another option like Pye in that position could be a shrewd move.
The 23-year-old colossus has won 59% of his ground duels and 63% of his aerial duels in League One this season, and could be a dominant defensive option for the Canaries.
Final thoughts
Whether it is Pye, Cleary, or Tolaj or not, dipping into the League One market to sign up-and-coming talent would be great to see this summer.
Hungry players who want to prove themselves and are desperate to succeed on the pitch, rather than being nonplussed by poor results.
Makama has shown that it can be an incredibly fruitful market for the club, even in the modern day, and it is one that they should explore again.
