Norwich City are on red alert after a big Philippe Clement blow. The Canaries were not expecting to be in the market for a new left-winger this summer, but the unfortunate injury to Ali Ahmed has almost forced them to continue their transfer business past the opening day of the season.
What happened?
Philippe Clement was in an enviable situation amongst Championship managers last month, stating in early July that he wasn't expecting many more transfers, following moves for Andre Brooks, Sam Field and Bruno Alves. However, Darlin Yongwa has since come in on a free transfer to add depth to the full-back position. Unfortunately, they've suffered an early setback, as Canadian winger Ali Ahmed, who was influential in the second half of last season after he arrived from Vancouver Whitecaps, ruptured his ACL in their pre-season friendly against Osasuna, an injury which will likely see him out for the whole season.
Why it matters for Norwich City
The injury to Ali Ahmed has left a gap in the left-winger position, and the Canaries are now set to continue their transfer business past the opening day of the season. They have been linked with Benjamin Dominguez of Bologna, but perhaps they should look a little closer to home and offer a career rest for Southampton's Samuel Edozie.
What comes next?
Samuel Edozie has been a victim of the strong squad depth that Southampton had last year going forward under Tonda Eckert, and that's only increased this summer, too, with the £9 million arrival of Lewis Dobbin and the imminent loan signing of Manchester City's Divin Mubama. The 23-year-old's future on the South Coast is clearly uncertain, and Norwich should be primed to take advantage - with numerous unnamed second-tier suitors already interested, as per recent reports.
Norwich have developed a knack over the past few years of being a place where young attacking players can come and develop, and Edozie should see that as a real positive if the Canaries went in for him to fill Ahmed's role this season. The likes of Oscar Schwartau, Mo Toure and Jovan Makama have come on leaps and bounds in the past 12 months at Carrow Road, the former two especially under Clement. Similarly, Anis Ben Slimane is someone who Philippe Clement is bringing the best out of, too. The Tunisian had a rough first year at Carrow Road and didn't emerge into the squad last year until January due to a quad injury. When he came into the side, though, he netted five and assisted six in 26 games in all competitions, and began the 2026/27 campaign by getting himself on the scoresheet against MK Dons.
The injury to Ali Ahmed has left a gap in the left-winger position, and the Canaries are now set to continue their transfer business past the opening day of the season. They have been linked with Benjamin Dominguez of Bologna, but perhaps they should look a little closer to home and offer a career rest for Southampton's Samuel Edozie. Norwich have developed a knack over the past few years of being a place where young attacking players can come and develop, and Edozie should see that as a real positive if the Canaries went in for him to fill Ahmed's role this season.
League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 9th in Championship, 65 pts, 19W-8D-19L from 46 games, recent form LDWWL. Goals this season: 63 scored, 56 conceded (+7 goal difference). Title race: 30 points behind leaders Coventry. Currently sidelined: Mirko Topić.
