Norwich City: How Jose Cordoba signing impacts current squad

Few were surprised when the Canaries made a left-sided centre-back their first signing of the summer, with Ben Gibson's departure signalling the removal of a key player and regular starter.

For all the 31-year-old's shortcomings, there was a reason he continually made starting line-ups under various head coaches. Whether it's the slick passing football of Daniel Farke or David Wagner's more direct idiosyncrasy, the importance of having a left footer in the position can't be overstated.

That's why City have forked out what's likely to be their largest transfer fee of the summer on Cordoba, and why he already looks certain to start whenever he's fit. Although the early signs are good, and the Panama international is clearly highly rated, the risks associated are clear.

Although further signings may well follow, at present hopes are pinned on someone with no experience of football close to Championship level. With finances tight and plenty of positions needing strengthening a back-up may be hard to source, but the pressure concentrated on Cordoba will be a consideration.

The Panamanian is expected to play a key role for the Canaries (Image: Getty)

Should he suffer with injuries or fail to adapt as hoped, there are candidates waiting for an opportunity at Carrow Road.

Chief among them are a trio of youngsters returning from EFL loans, with Brad Hills, Jaden Warner and Jonathan Tomkinson all centre-backs looking for a place in the first-team squad. 

The problem is that they're all right footers, without the body shape and passing lanes Cordoba will have to help progress the ball. Although Ben Godfrey proved in can be done in his impressive two years as a starter, it's rare to pull it off.

Their saving grace may be head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup's system, which tends to use a back three in possession. Contrary to David Wagner's, which split the centre-backs with a deep midfielder, this is done by keeping the left-back deep and slotting him alongside them.

Assuming the left-back who starts is left-footed, with free agent Martin Frese a target, that could allow for a right-footed centre-back on the left side without compromising the ability to play out from the back.

Another consideration will have to be who plays alongside Cordoba, and how well they're paired with the new man. If he is to be as regular a starter as expected, those on right side will do well to compliment him.

At present that looks like either Shane Duffy or Grant Hanley, with some of those young players thrown in as competition. Neither of the former Blackburn pair is particularly adept on the ball, especially when it comes to the short and incisive passes Thorup will demand.

But there's certainly a place for a cool, experienced head to help Cordoba over new terrain, and in that sense they have the advantage over their younger team-mates.

Although Thorup is famed for his ability to work with young players, he did use experience, in moderation, to get the best out of his youthful squad. One example Hanley and Duffy may want to pay attention to is Kian Hansen, the 35-year-old who played in their position for Nordsjaelland, often alongside a much younger defensive partner.

Shane Duffy will hope to nail down a spot alongside Cordoba (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

In any case, Cordoba's integration will be an interesting case study of how the old is blended with the new in NR1. While finances won't allow for a complete rip-up and rebuild, Thorup will have to decode how to do so best in the short term.

After a lengthy released list it may feel like City's new signings are simply fitting into slots that need filling, but they'll also be the markers between the old era and the new one.