Norwich City’s injury woes were exacerbated by Marcelino Nunez going off in the FA Cup match against Brighton, and with a host of other midfield injuries, a January loan solution could be on the cards.
The Chilean has already had some bad luck with injuries this season, missing a couple of months. Canaries manager Johannes Hoff Thorup is also missing four midfield options, including new permanent recruit Anis Ben Slimane.
Injuries to players like Liam Gibbs and Gabriel Forsyth are also beginning to have an impact on the club, as midfield options have become increasingly scarce this season.
A January swoop to cover Slimane was unlikely prior to the Brighton game, but it almost certainly relied on none of the other midfielders being signed or injured. Unfortunately for Ben Knapper and Thorup, the gamble has not paid off.
Nunez injury is a huge blow for Norwich City
The 24-year-old has cemented his spot in the Norwich squad as one of their most creative players. So much so that he has apparently piqued the interest of Premier League club Everton, with Norwich officials rejecting a £7 million deal, according to Chilean sources.
| Marcelino Nunez stats in the 2024/25 season so far, according to FotMob | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 22 (1,467′) |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Chances created | 37 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 2.71 |
| Successful passes | 808 |
Nunez is extremely crucial to the Canaries. Under Thorup, he is entrusted with receiving the ball in deep midfield before setting plays in motion.
The City manager loves him in the number six position, telling PinkUn: “You have to be an option every time the centre backs get the ball and advance the game, but you have a large defensive responsibility. It was the first time he did that for us, and he performed admirably” following the Millwall match.
But he also knows that his multifaceted ability is a significant asset to his team.
He additionally stated: “As everyone can see, when he’s playing a more offensive position – he’s a big threat from distance for us” . Three of his four goals this season have been from outside the box.
The latest Nunez blow makes for a rough path ahead for the Canaries, and solving the problem will definitely be challenging.
There’s no quick fix for Norwich’s midfield injury woes
With the Norfolk side’s midfield position appearing cursed this season, it’s tempting to feel that a loan signing is the best option.
However, Thorup remains “realistic” about the resources available to him in January, and finding the ideal replacement in such a short period of time is clearly on the wrong side of that thinking.
There is hope that Amankwah Forson’s increased confidence will allow him to step up in Slimane and Nunez’s absence, while Thorup’s faith in youngsters may also be tested in the coming weeks. Furthermore, Knapper may believe it is best to weather the storm rather than bring in a player who will only serve as a squad option to handle short- to mid-term ailments.
It’s up to the club doctors and physios, but Norwich fans will be hoping for some good luck with their most recent midfielder’s injury. However, if Nunez’s injury is as severe as expected and he faces a protracted rehabilitation period, a January trade would be unsurprising.
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