"Downgrade" - Honest Blackburn Rovers reaction offered to Tyrhys Dolan, Norwich City transfer talk | OneFootball

FLW’s Blackburn Rovers fan pundit has admitted that a move from Tyrhys Dolan from Blackburn to Norwich would be a downgrade.

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Blackburn Rovers will be looking to build on the positive end to the season they had under Valerien Ismael.

The Frenchman was under mounting pressure after failing to steady the ship following John Eustace’s departure, with the Lancashire outfit originally taking just two points from his first seven league games in charge.

But a resurrection surfaced following their comeback against Sheffield Wednesday, with Rovers going on to win four of their last five matches, although a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on the final day wasn’t enough to leapfrog back into the top six.

However, it’s optimistic for Blackburn if they can transition last season’s form into the early stages of the 2025-26 campaign, as the club looks to recruit a squad that can suit the demands and style of Ismael.

One outgoing that could happen during the summer is of winger Tyrhys Dolan, who has been a livewire at Ewood Park under a combination of Eustace and Ismael.

Dolan is set to see his contract at Ewood Park expire at the end of this month and is looking increasingly likely to depart as a free agent.

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Linked with a switch to Norwich City in the early stages of this summer, FLW’s Blackburn Rovers fan pundit has assessed what the winger’s future looks like.

Tyrhys Dolan, Norwich City switch would be a “downgrade”

Speaking to Football League World, Blackburn Rovers fan pundit Simon Middlehurst believes a switch for Tyrhys Dolan to Norwich City would be a downgrade, admitting a move to Scotland would benefit him more amid links to both Celtic and Rangers.

Middlehurst said: “To be honest, I think it would be a bit of a downgrade. Norwich haven't exactly been firing the last few years, and he's openly and publicly said that he (Dolan) wants to play at the highest level. For me personally, if he's going to leave, I think he’d be looking at a Premier League side.

"However, I don't think anyone [in the Premier League] would want to sign him, or going up to Scotland and signing for Rangers or Celtic, who are also rumored to be interested in him.

“It will be a bit of a blow to lose him. I think the last couple of years he’s really come on. Last year he was a big part of Rovers finishing where they were.

"I think John Eustace did really well to get the best out of him, and then he followed that form on with Ismael, so it would be a massive blow, but I’d be massively disappointed if he left Blackburn for a Championship side, especially if it was going to someone like Norwich and Derby, who haven't really had the best of seasons in years of late.”

Tyrhys Dolan should either leave the Championship or remain at Blackburn Rovers

Tyrhys Dolan seems to be blossoming as a Blackburn player, becoming such a valued and regular member of the first-team squad at only 23.

His breakthrough term of seven goals and six assists has seen the wideman demand to play at the highest levels of football, so it would appear to be a sideways step if he moves to Carrow Road.

Scottish giants duo Rangers and Celtic are keen over a move for the attacker this summer, and if Dolan wants a taste of playing in raucous atmospheres and on big occasions, then a move to Scotland could be what he needs to realise those ambitions.

Blackburn will of course do all they can to keep hold of their talent, but a move to a fellow Championship side should be the last resort if his future isn’t decided early into the summer transfer window.