The season has not started for Norwich City the way they had hoped.
Because the Canaries are now going through a bit of an identity renovation, their on-field performances have been mediocre.
When 35-year-old Johannes Hoff Thorup took over as manager prior to this season, he was hit hard as several important players left the team.
As Thorup tries to adjust to life in England and the Championship, Norwich is now ranked 13th in the league.
They have only won four of their first sixteen league games, drawn seven, and lost five.
If they want to finish close to the playoffs, they will be eager to improve that record.
Although Thorup deserves some time to establish his strategy and establish himself at the club, his team has lost their past seven league games, so things are not going his way on the field right now.
Nevertheless, with his outstanding performances and constant goal contributions, one Norwich player in particular seems to be dragging the squad around this season.
A Norwich City supporter highlights the team’s top player right now.
The Norwich supporters can be thrilled about one thing despite the recent lacklustre performance. Zeke Downes, a Norwich City fan commentator for FLW, was asked to name the team’s best player right now and to describe him in one word. His response was likely obvious.
“I think Borja Sainz is our best player at the moment,” he stated. He’s probably best described as a magician because he performs a number of things that Norwich players hardly ever do.
“Regardless of whether it’s a long-range or close-range shot, it looks like every one of his attempts will go in. He simply appears to be aware of the objective.
He has scored all of his goals from beyond the box, and they are all excellent goals, but you kind of expect it to stop, yet it keeps occurring.
It’s not as though he’s getting many photos from unconventional angles either. He has greatly outperformed his XG because you don’t see him shoot and miss. He is a unique player.
Thus far, Borja Sainz’s 2024–2025 campaign
Sainz made his way into Norwich’s starting lineup the previous season and scored six goals in 25 league appearances, but this season he has excelled.
Even though it’s just November, Sainz has already surpassed his “goals in one season” record with 11 league goals and an additional goal against Stevenage in the EFL Cup.
Due to his outstanding left wing performances for Norwich this season, the Spaniard has gone from being a consistent starter to unquestionably the first name on the team sheet.
His favourite moment of the season thus far was probably when the Canaries visited Derby County in September. Despite a competitive game between the two teams, Norwich prevailed 3-2 away from home thanks to Sainz’ hat trick, which gave them all three points for the day.
Fearsome when cutting onto his right foot from the left wing, the deft winger is a deadly ball dribbler with amazing long-shot ability. Norwich must take advantage of it while it lasts because he possesses all the makings of a top-tier winger and it appears that a major move away is just around the corner.
Ahead of the January transfer season, the list of possible suitors is already starting to take shape, and Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray is apparently one of the interested clubs. A transfer for Sainz would make a lot of sense because the club recruited Gabriel Sara, a former Norwich star, in the summer.
Atlético Madrid, Athletic Club, and Villareal are apparently keeping an eye on the Spanish winger, but clubs from his native country are also interested.
It will be extremely difficult for Norwich to hold onto him in January if he keeps scoring goals for them over the course of the following month.
