Norwich City promoted from the Championship in 2020/2021 Season as Champions on 97 points.
Norwich have been accused by many pundits over the last few years as being a so-called "yo-yo club". This was discussed just following the preview of the upcoming season and in all honesty it's quite harsh, especially given the domination they have portrayed in the Championship. Granted the ambition is to try and maintain a place within the Premier League but Norwich have unfortunately struggled and will hope this season can bring more fortunes. When Norwich were last promoted to the first division in 2019 they endured a torrid campaign, one of the worst by a side in Premier League history, finishing with just 21 points and ending up bottom of the table. In 2016 they survived just one season too, finishing in 19th and in 2014 they finished 18th so it is understandable why many would label them as a club who are content with rotating between the first and second division. As I said however, they do portray an element of resilience to recover from relegation and come back fighting in an effort to prove their top-flight status. Is Daniel Farke the right man to assert Norwich's longevity in the Premier League or do they need a switch? The first 10-12 games of the season will give us a better understanding but for Norwich remaining in the league will be of paramount importance to everyone involved with the club. Their recruitment has been what we usually expect from Norwich, bringing in what they believe to be established first-team players that can help they attain Premier League status. Billy Gilmour is still not fully developed as a football player, let alone a Premier league one, but his potential is immense and his development at Norwich will be key to Chelsea but will also equally aid Norwich and their own agenda. The same can be said for Brandon Williams, who they have also brought in on loan from Manchester United. Pierre Lees-Melou is another signing who enjoyed a steady season with Nice in Ligue 1. They have also raided Werder Bremen, bringing in Milot Rashica and Josh Sargent from the relegated Bundesliga side. Between them, the pair have scored a combined 34 goals in 159 goals. Not quite Premier League quality on the eye but Farke will be hoping they can bolster Norwich's attack alongside the go-to man for Norwich this year, Teemu Pukki. The Finnish international scored 26 goals in 39 games for the side last season in the Championship and has proven himself as a goal scorer, but not yet within the first division. When he last appeared in the Premier League with Norwich, he started the campaign well but fell off as the intensity and the demand of the league grew and scored just 11 goals in 36. Not a bad return for a side who finished bottom to be fair but Farke will no doubt try and lift the pressure off his shoulders with the introduction of Rashica and Sargent. A huge season ahead for Norwich in terms of their credibility as a Premier League side, the last thing the returning fans to Carrow Road want is another relegation prospect.
MAJOR TRANSFERS- (subject to change).
IN- Billy Gilmour- (Chelsea, loan).
Brandon Williams- (Manchester United, loan).
Josh Sargent- (Werder Bremen, £7.9 million).
Milot Rashica- (Werder Bremen, £8 million)
Ben Gibson- (Burnley, undisclosed fee).
Pierre Lees-Melou- (Nice, £3.5 million).
OUT- Emiliano Buendia- (Aston Villa, £38 million).
Josip Drmic- (Rijeka, loan).
Marco Stiepermann- (released).
Alex Tettey- (released).
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