This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Jon Rowe’s loan move to Marseille from Norwich City has not gone as planned, with the forward reportedly falling out of favour at the French club after joining on loan from the Canaries last summer.
According to L’Equipe, the 21-year-old could leave the Ligue 1 club early after failing to satisfy manager Roberto De Zerbi since leaving Carrow Road six months ago.
With the transfer window closed and no progress on the playmaker, it appears that Rowe will be stranded in France for the foreseeable future, with a supposed requirement to acquire part of the agreement until we arrive this summer.
With that in mind, we chatted with Football League World’s Norwich City fan pundit Zeke Downes about the issue involving the former East Anglian fan favourite and whether his move was worthwhile in the end.
Jon Rowe struggles after forcing Norwich City departure
Rowe rapidly went from being heralded on the Carrow Road terraces to being public enemy number one in August, when he declined to be named to Norwich’s matchday squad for the season opener against Cardiff City, despite interest from elsewhere.
According to The Telegraph’s John Percy, the loan deal to France was quickly resolved, with a £13.5 million commitment incorporated into negotiations, but the move across the Channel has yet to yield the results that both player and club had hoped for.
The teenage sensation has started only three league games this season, with 14 coming from the bench, as he fights for consistent playing time under former Brighton manager De Zerbi.
With four goal contributions so far, rumors regarding the present condition of circumstances have circulated over the last week or so, but Downes is convinced that few people in Norfolk will feel sorry for their former star.
When asked about Rowe’s status, the Canaries fan said: “I’m not surprised by the news that Marseille do not want to keep Jonathan Rowe, even if I believe they had a responsibility to buy.
| Jon Rowe’s Norwich City stats – per Transfermarkt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Norwich City | 56 | 13 | 5 |
| Norwich City U-21 | 31 | 11 | 7 |
“So it doesn’t appear like he will return; they will most likely have to buy him and then release him.
“I do think that he made the wrong move – maybe not the actual move but how the move actually happened – either he was advised badly or he made the wrong decision in terms of not wanting to be in the match day squad.”
Jon Rowe decision has tainted Norwich City legacy
Rowe, who scored 14 goals in the 23/24 Championship season, had given Carrow Road fans much to cheer about in the months leading up to his departure, as he helped Norwich reach the second division play-off semi-finals.
With the world seemingly at his feet following such a brilliant year at such an early stage of his career, supporters of a yellow and green disposition will have been signing the praises of their academy graduate to everyone who would listen, as he continued to tear apart opposition defences with ease.
However, the manner in which he forced his way out of the club will be remembered by those who pay their ticket money each week, and Downes believes that all bridges between player and club have been burned in the future.
He said more: “I can see why he wanted to move but it has left a bit of a sour taste, so I don’t think it is possible that he would come back, and I don’t think we would really want him back anyway.”
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