“Another year or two” – Norwich City told to hand long-serving player new deal

“Another year or two” – Norwich City told to hand long-serving player new deal.

Following their relegation from the Premier League in 2022, Norwich City has had a significant metamorphosis in the last two seasons.

After bringing in eight new players to Carrow Road throughout the summer, new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup has had an uneven start to the current Championship campaign.

Though the Canaries have already defeated Coventry City this season and taken a point away from Sheffield United at home, there are strong bases on which to grow.

The present roster of the Norwich squad is quite good, but there are concerns about Onel Hernandez, a player who has had difficulty having a significant influence in recent years.

In his 45 minutes of action thus far in 2024–2025, the 31-year-old has encountered four distinct.

Hernandez’s contract situation must be sorted

The Cuban joined in January 2018, and his contract is scheduled to end in the summer. His recent participation, nevertheless, has not quite lived up to his expectations following his return from a two-year loan at Birmingham City.

Hernandez participated in 35 games in all competitions the previous season, but it already appears that he will play fewer minutes this time around.

In the upcoming years, as Norwich looks to regroup after losing in the play-off semi-finals in 2023–2024, it will still be necessary to have individuals who are familiar with the club in and around the training ground, even though the majority of the team is relatively new.

Zeke Downes, the Norwich Fan Pundit for Football League World, expressed his opinion that Hernandez is still a valuable member of the team when he was asked if his contract should be extended. “I personally would be happy to let Hernandez stay even longer because it’s not like he’s on massive wages,” Downes said.

“He always gives his all because he loves the club. Indeed, he isn’t quite up to par, but we also need players who are familiar with the team and the supporters, and Zeke genuinely does both,” Zeke said.

He still has two or three years left in him, so it’s not like he’s extremely old, and he is aware that he is not a starter. To assist all the new men fit in, I would be delighted to give him an additional year or two, as he is aware that he is at most a squad player.

“Otherwise, there would be a lot of change all at once, and we do need guys who have seen success in the past. I would have him around for a year or two more, since it’s just him, Hanley, and McLean, I believe, left.”

Hernandez’s Carabao Cup performances have proven he is still useful

Hernandez hasn’t featured much in the league, but he was there for the entire Norwich City Cup clash.

The Canaries and League One team Stevenage had a highly interesting first-round battle, however in the second round, Premier League outfit Crystal Palace decisively trounced the Canaries.

Hernandez, who scored twice and provided the assist for Abu Kamara’s first goal against Boro, was outstanding.

The game was a great showcase for his remaining skills and a great advertisement to Throup that the 31-year-old can be useful when called upon, something that could lead to another year at Carrow even though the opponent was not the most challenging that he will face this season.