Norwich City eye Dobbin return as attacking rebuild looms
Norwich City are preparing for a fourth consecutive campaign in the Championship following a 13th-place finish last season.
The Canaries ended with 57 points in what was a turbulent season under Johannes Hoff Thorup. After a string of inconsistent performances, Thorup was dismissed and replaced by interim boss Jack Wilshere for the remainder of the season.
It was a particularly underwhelming year for a side boasting significant attacking talent. Borja Sainz ended the season as joint second-top scorer in the division with 18 goals, while Josh Sargent followed closely with 15. However, both players are now being heavily linked with moves away from Carrow Road, sparking concerns among fans about what lies ahead.
Norwich are already shaping their summer plans and are looking to re-sign Lewis Dobbin on loan after his previous spell was cut short by injury. The Aston Villa winger had shown promising signs, filling in effectively during Sainz’s suspension and later moving to the right flank when the Spaniard returned.
Dobbin impressed with his energy and intent, and under new leadership, Norwich hope to get even more out of him in the coming season as they aim to reestablish themselves as promotion contenders.
Fan pundit Zeke Downes, speaking to Football League World, supports the club’s pursuit of Dobbin, especially with Sainz’s future uncertain.
“I’d be pleased to see Dobbin come back for another season,” Downes said. “Before his injury, he looked like he was starting to find form. While the end product wasn’t always there, he was very involved in the build-up and looked like a player who could thrive in our setup.
“If Sainz does move on, Dobbin would be a great replacement. Since it’s a loan, it’s low-risk, and given what a permanent deal could cost, it’s a smart approach. He already knows the squad, and that familiarity is a big plus going into next season.”
Losing Sainz would undoubtedly be a setback, but Dobbin showed flashes of the dynamism needed to help fill that void. Compared to his time at West Brom, Dobbin played with greater confidence and creativity, troubling defenders with his direct style and sharp ball control.
Though his stats didn’t reflect it, his presence was significant, and with more consistent game time, his goal contributions could well increase. A loan deal would provide a low-risk, high-upside option for Norwich, and Dobbin may just prove to be the spark they need to reignite their Championship campaign.
