Norwich City: Championship goal target for Sargent.

Josh Sargent is aiming for the Championship golden boot as part of Norwich City’s play-off drive.

With a brace in the recent home win over Stoke, the prolific forward increased his league goal count to 11 this season and will be a vital role in Friday’s clash at Oxford Carrow Road. Sargent has missed 14 league games this season due to groin surgery, but he is only four goals behind teammate Borja Sainz and Leeds striker Joel Piroe heading into the final stretch. “Numbers are looking good at the moment, so I’m happy,” he told me. “I think coming into this season, I had very high expectations for myself.” I absolutely wanted to be in the running for top goal scorer. Unfortunately, I experienced a setback due to another injury. But very happy with how I responded, and I just want to keep it going now.

“I just want us to keep producing results and making a strong push for the playoffs because I believe we are good enough. “I need to just stay focused on what’s put me in those positions to score, not getting too lazy, keeping working hard for the team, and getting in the right spots to score goals.” Sargent thinks that his domestic form will help him set down a World Cup marker later this month with US international manager Mauricio Pochettino. The 25-year-old missed January friendly due to a groin injury, but the Americans will meet Panama in a Nations League semi-final, led by Jose Cordoba.

Sargent led the line for his country in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which the United States will co-host alongside Canada and Mexico. The Missourian has five goals in 27 appearances, but an injury limited his impact at last summer’s Copa America on home turf. “Of course, I want to get back with the guys and be with the national team whenever possible,” Sargent told US broadcaster CBS Sports Golazo Network. “I want to take my opportunity to finally get going with them and score some goals.”

The City striker, who was a transfer target for MLS team FC Cincinnati prior to the current Championship season, will have international competition from Coventry’s Haji Wright, AS Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, and PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi to lead the US attack. Pochettino, who previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea, and PSG, was appointed in September 2024 with the goal of winning the next World Cup. “We need to believe in big things and believe that we can win not only a game but that we can win the tournament,” he said, at his unveiling. “If not, the journey is difficult. We want players who arrive from day one at the training camp and think big.

“We must think we can win the World Cup. For me, the word “believe” is quite powerful. You can have incredible talent, but in football, you must believe. Believe that everything is possible. If we can all believe together, we will be able to attain our goals.”

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