Raskolnikov
Active member
Is he still out on loan does anyone know, and if not, any chance of seeing him playing football in England this season, be that on loan or here?
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Albion] Matthias Normann
- Thread starter Raskolnikov
- Start date
Gabbiano
Well-known member
Normann was signed and sent out on loan immediately to Molde in the Norwegian top flight. He was a regular at the end of the 2017 season, where Molde finished runners up. He was sent back out to them again in January for the 2018 season, and has again been a regular first-teamer, though so far Molde are having a slightly less successful year.
His loan ended July 1st so he is now back with us. I expect that we haven't seen him yet because he has been given a little extra time off, seeing as he was still playing football well into June.
We shall see if he will be integrated into the first team, loaned out or sold on. One of the biggest mystery players in our squad, but the fact he was a regular player competing for the national title in Norway is positive.
If he becomes a first team player he will need to be named in the 25 as he is now over 21, and would be another non HGP.
His loan ended July 1st so he is now back with us. I expect that we haven't seen him yet because he has been given a little extra time off, seeing as he was still playing football well into June.
We shall see if he will be integrated into the first team, loaned out or sold on. One of the biggest mystery players in our squad, but the fact he was a regular player competing for the national title in Norway is positive.
If he becomes a first team player he will need to be named in the 25 as he is now over 21, and would be another non HGP.
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
He returned to Albion to start pre-season training on Monday.
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
what position does he play?
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
He is a central midfielder.
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
Dev squad or first team squad is the issue.
Probably the former ?
Probably the former ?
Gabbiano
Well-known member
Dev squad or first team squad is the issue.
Probably the former ?
I don't know much about the Norwegian league but I would think that the top few clubs are probably at least Championship level in terms of quality. Maybe someone with better knowledge can correct me.
If he has played a year, regularly in a team at that level, it would put him ahead of all the other U23s. And at 22 years of age, you would have to start thinking that if he isn't going into the first team soon he never will. I hope he has enough to be our fifth CM, but we shall see what CH and the boys decide.
blockhseagull
Well-known member
Surely the next logical step is to get him on loan somewhere in this country ? Might make us be able to judge if he can cope with the physical nature of English football.
Would certainly be a big step in his development to a possible first team squad place.
Would certainly be a big step in his development to a possible first team squad place.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
There will be no place for him in the 25 this season, so yes, that seems the only logical thing to do. I don't think putting him back into the Development Squad will enhance his progress.
pishhead
Well-known member
On the bench tonight.
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
First time he's worn an Albion shirt for an actual match.
Blue Valkyrie
Not seen such Bravery!
I was beginning to doubt he ever would !
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Very few are ever going to make the grade as first team squad members for us, a very tiny percentage in fact. At least from his perspective he seems to be joining another professional club, so will still presumably be making a resonable living from the game.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
Good player from what I've seen of the u23s, although he is one of the older players so it was unlikely that he'd make our current grade.
Don Tmatter
Well-known member
The U23’s will be re-named the U18’s at this rate, apart from the GK’s, Sanders & Gyokeres is there anyone left over 19 ?
AZ Gull
@SeagullsAcademy @seagullsacademy.bsky.social
Steven Alzate, Archie Davies and Jordan Davies are all older than Max Sanders.
Will Collar, Ben Hall and Soufyan Ahannach are all older than Viktor Gyokeres.
Not quite sure what point you are making - the likes of Ben Barclay, Will Collar, Ben Hall, Soufyan Ahannach and Mathias Normann are all in the equivalent of their fourth season of being a full-time professional. Jordan Maguire-Drew, Ben White, James Tilley, George Cox etc are all in their third year of being a full professional player. If a club hasn't figured out by this stage whether they are going to make it, it shouldn't have an academy.
These players are all likely to be (injury permitting) out on loan or on the fringes of the first-team squad. They aren't going to remain in the development squad forever, just so that we get decent results at U-23 level. The U-23 side has one purpose - produce players for the first team. There is always going to be churn every season.
Yes, though his decision making is questionable at times, but obviously an experience thing.
Getting harder for our youngsters.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk