Norwich City supporters are getting a bit itchy about getting their best players under contract for next season. However, Paul Lambert has decided that contract talks will have to wait until the club's Premier League status is mathematically secure.
The Barclay at Carrow Road.
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It is a slightly delicate situation for Lambert, because he will want to start to tweak his squad for Premier League progression. He may feel reluctant to offer deals to players that may not have a long-term top-flight future.
However, the Norwich City manager has had success by gradually tweaking his squad to transform from League One to Championship to Premier League. He needs to stick behind that philosophy to ensure that there is no turmoil at Carrow Road.
This may mean offering contracts to players that may not have long-term Premier League futures. Two players that I believe should be offered new deals are Zak Whitbread and David Fox. Fox is often the player that makes Norwich City tick with his calm possession, and fantastic range of passing.
In time, Paul Lambert may find a more talented central midfield player. However, in the present Fox is a vital part of the team. Irrespective of how Lambert sees him fitting in next season, he should look to secure his future at the earliest opportunity.
The central defensive options are more interesting, because this has not necessarily been one of Norwich City's strengths this season. However, both Zak Whitbread and Elliott Ward will be out of contract at the end of the season. I personally think that it would be a mistake to get rid of them both.
Leon Barnett's future is far from secure, and he could easily be sold in the summer. That would only leave Daniel Ayala and Ryan Bennett as recognized central defenders, Russell Martin can also play there, but this may be something that Lambert will reconsider moving forward.
Therefore, it makes good sense to tie up the contract for Zak Whitbread. I personally feel that he is more deserving of a new contract than Elliott Ward, and arguably the more capable defender. His performances this season has been perfectly decent.
Paul Lambert may see Ayala and Bennett (Ryan) as his first-choice partnership next season. However, Whitbread has shown that he is a more than capable backup.
James Kent has been a Norwich City supporter since the mid '90s; he is confident Premier League safety has been secure and looking forward to what the team can accomplish next season.
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