Norwich City: Analysis of Alex Matos' reported Chelsea move

The 18-year-old is reportedly in advanced talks with the five time Premier League champions over joining their U21 side. Their interest in him has been consistent throughout his time at Norwich. 

Matos, who has been deployed as a winger in younger age groups, has converted to a more central midfield position this season. He signed his first professional deal with the Canaries back in 2021 in an attempt to thwart interest from elsewhere. 

For a talent who is as highly rated as the teenager to get as close to Norwich's first-team as he has without making that step will be disappointing to some - perhaps it is just football's natural order taking place. 

Matos' imminent exit will be the latest blow to Norwich, who have seen plenty of young talent from highly-rated age group depart the club. 

Ruben Shakpoke joined Aston Villa from Norwich in October 2020 in a deal reportedly worth £1m, Kristian Hlynsson, who was once on City's books, is now playing regularly for Jong Ajax. His brother Agust, is reportedly set for a move to Rosenberg whilst goalkeeper Arlo Doherty has ended up at Leicester City via Manchester City and now Matos is set to move on. 

These players were brought to Norwich by Gregg Broughton, now sporting director at Blackburn, alongside the likes of Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis and latterly Irish pair Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah. 

Others like Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder Jamal Musiala and defender Bright Arrey-Mbi had trials at City at early ages before electing to go elsewhere. Broughton's influence started the process of tempting players to give Norwich a glancing look. 

A few players of that generation remain at the club like Abu Kamara, Tony Springett and Jon Rowe amongst others - they could still break into the first-team and provide value by racking up a high number of appearances or financially through getting a bigger move. 

It is not realistic to suggest that every player on Norwich's books can make the first team. Every youngster faces obstacles, interest and adversity that may prevent them from doing so - but it doesn't make it any less disappointing for supporters when the best talent fails to make that step from academy to first-team. 

Gregg Broughton, now at Blackburn, brought some talented players to the club. (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

Matos turned down advances from bigger clubs to join Norwich, largely due to his pre-existing relationship with Broughton. Chelsea's interest has been persistent throughout his spell in Norfolk. 

He was regarded as one of City's best-emerging talents alongside striker and Ken Aboh, who remains at Norwich.

Upon news of Matos' potential move to Chelsea, City legend Darren Eadie wrote on his social media: 'This boy is a real talent. I worked with him at Langley School. One of the most talented youngsters I have ever seen, would be a real shame to lose him'. Others within the game and former coaches share his sentiments. 

Matos joined Midas Sports agency in December and last played for Norwich earlier this month. On Friday, however, he was partnering Ngolo Kante for Chelsea's development side in a friendly against Charlton. 

It's understood Norwich will be entitled to compensation for Matos, but under the current rules they can negotiate a different deal with Chelsea as an alternative should they wish. That could be beneficial if it comes through various clauses that pay over a prolonged period rather than one lump sum.  

The process to finalise the move is ongoing, but the wider questions about Matos' departure remain. 

Maybe then, given Matos' talents - a move to a bigger club was inevitable. But it could be argued that Norwich's approach to young talents is all about presenting a realistic pathway to first-team football.

Has Matos been dissuaded from that pathway? Has it changed? Have Chelsea just offered an improved route? All those questions arise from this move - the answers are unlikely to appear publicly anytime soon. 

It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall inside Colney reflecting on such losses - is it just par for the course of academy football or will they have hoped to have kept more of a generation that is highly rated inside the game? 

You cannot account for clubs like Chelsea arriving on the scene and tempting players through reputation, finance or facilities - but Norwich had convinced Matos to put pen to paper on a professional deal amid strong interest, including from Chelsea, before. So what changed? 

Keeping hold of such talent was always going to be difficult for a club like Norwich - but their model depends on them doing so. 

The quality of this age group means they expect a clear pathway to the first team; given Norwich's size compared to other suitors, they have to show a plan that ends with regular game time. 

You could, of course, argue that this strategy shows that Norwich are on the right trajectory when it comes to attracting talent. 

Abu Kamara is another member of a talented City group. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

But there is a flip side to suggest that some revenue could have been lost at being unable to get that talent from the training pitches at Colney and into their first-team, something that has been a key part of their ethos. 

Losing players at that stage is inevitable, but there is perhaps a wider criticism to be made of the English academy system. Many feel it is geared too much for those bigger clubs to poach talent, especially after another side has completed such a big portion of their development. 

Norwich too have benefitted from it. It could be argued that Luton may feel the same - whether the game needs to look at these processes is an interesting, complex and nuanced debate. 

But underpinning it is the fact that Norwich are poised to lose a real talent - regardless of circumstance or justification, it feels like a major loss for the academy.