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Josh Sargent transfer: Sky Sports Anton Toloui on Norwich City transfer

By Kristian Dyer

Josh Sargent of Bremen takes a shot at goal during the Bundesliga match between DSC Arminia Bielefeld and SV Werder Bremen at Schueco Arena on March 10, 2021 in Bielefeld, which was postponed due to heavy weather from February 2, at Schueco Arena on March 10, 2021 in Bielefeld, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Josh Sargent of Bremen takes a shot at goal during the Bundesliga match between DSC Arminia Bielefeld and SV Werder Bremen at Schueco Arena on March 10, 2021 in Bielefeld, which was postponed due to heavy weather from February 2, at Schueco Arena on March 10, 2021 in Bielefeld, Germany. Sporting stadiums around Germany remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) /
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Josh Sargent made a shock move to English Premier League side Norwich City, the United States international leaving a bad club situation for a recently promoted side in the best league in the world.

Anton Toloui is a Sky Sports News football reporter who has been all over Josh Sargent’s transfer to the English Premier League  (follow him on Twitter @SkyAnton). He spent some time this week with ‘MLS Multiplex’ talking about Sargent and his move from Werder Bremen to Norwich as well as how it will impact his development.

What are your thoughts on Josh Sargent signing with Norwich and his fit? Certainly a bit of risk because the club goes into the season as a bit of a relegation candidate.

‘MLS Multiplex’: What are your thoughts on Josh Sargent signing with Norwich and his fit? Certainly a bit of risk because the club goes into the season as a bit of a relegation candidate.

Toloui: I’m not going to lie, I was a little surprised Norwich opted for a young, recently relegated player to put pressure on main striker Teemu Pukki but Josh Sargent seems to be one of those players that really splits opinion. Some are high on his potential, others are yet to be convinced.

Norwich are second favourites to finish bottom of the Premier League with bookmakers for a reason and a proven goal scorer would have boosted Norwich’s chances of survival exponentially but that doesn’t fit the business model.

Norwich have had great success developing young players including Ben Godfrey and Jamal Lewis (now at Everton & Newcastle) along with Todd Cantwell and Max Aarons. Sargent almost certainly won’t be judged on a single season alone.

‘MLS Multiplex’: In terms of playing time, Sargent was a regular at Werder Bremen, a club that struggled in terms of possession and creating opportunities for their forwards. Does Sargent step into a good situation in terms of the rotation up top?

Toloui: There certainly won’t be any pressure on Sargent on Day 1 as Pukki is the established starter in Daniel Farke’s single-striker system but the USMNT player will be expected to make an impact from the bench. Norwich’s first four league games are against Liverpool, Manchester City, Leicester and Arsenal so, if chasing the game, Sargent could get minutes off the bench early in the campaign.

It can be argued Norwich aren’t as strong as when they were when last in the Premier League two seasons ago, especially as their most creative player Emi Buendia left for Aston Villa, but the signing of Sargent’s Werder Bremen teammate Milot Rashica could be pivotal to his and Norwich’s success.

‘MLS Multiplex’: The development of Sargent is important for the national team. What do you think is realistic in terms of minutes this year for the young forward?

Toloui: As you know, Sargent has a-year-and-a-half to secure his spot in the World Cup squad amid some exciting competition. On the face of it, going from starting 30 games in Bundesliga to being a Premier League backup is a risk for his international prospects but scoring five goals in the Premier League would get more attention than 20 in 2. Bundesliga. His new coach Daniel Farke is committed to playing stylish, attacking football, which can only enhance Sargent’s development in the long term. Pukki has started 115 league games over the last three seasons under Farke, however, so Sargent’s development may be more evident on the training ground than in front of Premier League cameras this season.

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