Borja Sainz has been a magician for Norwich City so far in 2024/25 – few players in the Championship, if any, have had the impact that he has had in an attacking sense.
Johannes Hoff Thorup has had a decent, if not spectacular, start to life in Norfolk, but his team is showing signs of being able to contend with the top six.
However, the January transfer window provides him with the opportunity to enhance his Canaries team and return them to the fight for promotion to the Premier League, which the East Anglian club missed out on last season via the play-offs.
Another creative force alongside Sainz would be beneficial to the Norwegian boss, and a move similar to James Maddison’s 2016 transfer from Coventry City would be well appreciated at Carrow Road, with the current Tottenham Hotspur star making an impression at Norwich.
Maddison was superb at Norwich
The now 28-year-old was signed by Norwich for £2.5 million in January 2016, but was immediately loaned back to Coventry to finish the 2015/16 season in League One.
Norwich were not the only club keeping tabs on the attacking midfielder; Premier League clubs were also interested in his abilities. It was evident that Maddison had the potential to become a vital figure in the top flight, which he has now achieved.
Nonetheless, he finally got his chance at Carrow Road at the start of the 2017/18 season. He had spent the previous year in Scotland with Aberdeen, but Alex Neil did not regard the teenager as a Championship prospect.
But under Daniel Farke, Maddison was given the freedom to showcase his abilities, and he thrived with the German as his manager.
Goals became a consistent part of his game, and he scored 14 in the league. There weren’t many players as dangerous from beyond the box as the 21-year-old, and he was a bright spot in an otherwise unremarkable season for the Canaries.
A hat-trick against Hull City in a 4-3 defeat summed up what he was for Norwich: a leader despite his youthful age. He frequently took games by the scruff of the neck and was a master at creating opportunities for his teammates as well as for himself.
James Maddison Norwich City statistics by season (TransferMarkt)
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
2015/16
–
–
–
2016/17
4
1
2
2017/18
49
15
11
While his treble against the Tigers will be remembered, one of his most memorable wins came against Ipswich Town in October 2017. His curling strike from 15 yards found the corner, delivering all three points for East Anglia’s yellow-and-green side on Derby Day.
A repeat of Maddison’s impact would be welcome
After the 2017/18 season, Maddison was promoted to the Premier League in recognition of his efforts.
He joined Leicester City for about £22 million and helped the club win the FA Cup in 2021, as well as a European campaign in 2021/22.
After being relegated to the Championship, he moved on again, signing a £40 million contract with Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, where he has become an important component of Ange Postecoglou’s plans.
Nonetheless, Norwich fans will never forget Maddison’s impact during his time at Carrow Road, and a similar move from a lower-league team will be welcomed, particularly by Hoff Thorup, who will be looking for another goalscoring, chance-creating midfielder to strengthen his team for the second half of the season.
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