Ben Knapper reflects on Norwich City’s transfer window

The Canaries saw eight new senior players arrive at Colney whilst nine exited as Knapper began shaping the squad to work under head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup. 

That business included the likes of Callum Doyle, Ante Crnac, Amankwah Forson and others arriving - with no new additions over the age of 23. 

Knapper was clear in his desire to lower the average age group of the squad and feels Norwich have added a host of players with a high ceiling. 

“Over the piece, I’m really happy with what we did. I think we managed to execute pretty much everything that we wanted to and really start the process of shaping the squad in the way we wanted to do. 

“We spoke before about key strategic intentions - reducing the age profile, trying to bring some high potential assets into the group,” City’s sporting director told the club’s ’On the Ball’ video series. 

“We’ve started the process of building in this new direction. I’m really pleased with it and I think we’ve got some exciting players that we’re building.”

City’s summer business didn’t come without unforeseen challenges. 

Two of the club’s academy graduates, Jon Rowe and Abu Kamara, made their desire to leave Carrow Road clear whilst there was a disciplinary issue with striker Adam Idah after he failed to report for a team flight to Austria in pre-season. 

Rowe’s decision to withdraw himself from duty 20 minutes before City’s Championship opener against Oxford had the most damage - with Thorup’s men going onto lose 2-0 at the newly promoted side. 

The winger eventually completed a loan move with £14m obligation to Marseille, but Knapper was left disappointed by the whole episode after planning a key role for Rowe in his City plans. 

Jonathan Rowe left Norwich City after a high-profile transfer saga. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

“We’d worked so hard over a number of weeks to prepare and build up to that first game and 20 minutes before the team meeting, everything gets thrown up into the air. 

”Of course it was a difficult day for us and it did feel like that set the tone,”Knapper said. 

“But it is what it is. We’ve moved forward past that point and it’s a shame that ultimately Jonny has left the club because he was a player that we loved and really wanted to build with him. 

“I envisaged this team going on a journey and Jonny being a really big part of that, but we had to adapt quickly to find a solution and I think we managed to do that.”