Norwich City, Josh Sargent transfer theory offered amid huge Philippe Clement update - 'there's more to the story' | OneFootball

FLW's Norwich fan pundit has discussed why he thinks that Josh Sargent may be forcing a move this January

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...

Plenty of talented attacking options have come and gone at Norwich City since they were relegated back to the Championship in 2022, but Josh Sargent has always been the consistent driving force in the Canaries' frontline.

However, that may be coming to an end this month, after the American withdrew himself from contention for Norwich's recent FA Cup clash with League Two side Walsall due to transfer interest from elsewhere, namely MLS outfit Toronto FC, who launched an $18 million bid on Sunday night.

Canaries boss Philippe Clement is adamant that the 25-year-old will be staying at Carrow Road past February 2nd's transfer deadline, but with the World Cup on the horizon in America, Sargent may look to push for a departure to increase his chances of representing his country in the summer.

That's the opinion of FLW's Norwich fan pundit, Zeke Downes, at least, who doesn't agree with a lot of the reactionary Canaries fans, and believes that the frontman might feel like he doesn't have a choice this January when it comes to leaving.

Norwich City fan pundit reacts to news surrounding Josh Sargent's withdrawal from Walsall clash as potential exit looms

Initially, Downes felt that the initial reaction from the majority of the Norwich fanbase online was slightly exaggerated, with some putting the American striker on the same pedestal as Marcelino Nunez, who swapped Carrow Road for bitter rivals Ipswich Town in the summer.

Indeed, the American frontman has shown that he is capable of playing higher than the Championship in the past three-and-a-half seasons, but has chosen to stay put and not jump at the first opportunity to play at a higher level.

"I was expecting this question," Downes chuckled. "My opinion is quite different to most Norwich fans. I'm never really one for reactionary opinions, and I personally think there's more to the story, as there always is.

"I think that Josh Sargent has given us many years of great service, scored lots of goals and has always worked hard in every single game he's played, even when we've not been very good, and that's not been the case with a lot of other players.

"He's stuck by us in the bad times when he could, and probably should, have left, but he stayed and worked hard."

Downes speculates that this decision has been influenced by the upcoming World Cup, due to take place in America this summer. Not many players get to represent their countries in the biggest competition football has to offer, let alone in their home country.

However, despite being one of, if not the, best strikers in the Championship for a good number of years now, Sargent has seen his opportunities in the USMNT decrease massively since 2022, and he wasn't picked by Mauricio Pochettino for the Gold Cup last summer.

Therefore, the fan pundit feels that, if Sargent plays top-flight football, even if it is in the MLS, it would increase his chances of going to the World Cup. In the end, he may have no choice but to leave to achieve a dream of a lifetime.

"I think what's happened here is that Norwich have told him he isn't leaving, but he's probably also been told by Pochettino that if he doesn't leave, he won't go to the World Cup," he continued.

"It's already been seen that Championship players are less likely to be picked, which is odd, but if he thinks that this is the only chance to play at a World Cup in his home country, I can see why he'd want to leave, as you'd only get one crack at that - it's now or never, really.

"I don't like that he sent Philippe Clement a text saying that he was unavailable, but if he's been put in an awkward position, I guess that he doesn't have a choice.

"It's a shame that some fans are saying he's a snake and a rat and putting him on the same level as Nunez or Jonathan Rowe, because that's not true at all.

"He's given us many years and, unfortunately, he's been put in a bad position and maybe sees this as his only option."

Fresh move may be the only way for Josh Sargent to play in the World Cup

Ultimately, after not being picked for the Gold Cup this past summer, off the back of two campaigns in the Championship where Sargent scored 31 in just 58 games, the likelihood of a recall for this summer's tournament seems even slimmer.

Compared to his last few seasons, the 25-year-old is having an off-year, with just seven goals in 23 league games, and two in his last 19.

The fact that the Canaries are currently in the midst of a relegation battle means that this news hasn't been taken that well, but realistically, this news seems inevitable if Sargent is to make the World Cup this summer.

However, Philippe Clement and Norwich have made it clear that a move won't be sanctioned this January, so it'll be intriguing to see how this one develops, and how the 25-year-old will react in the second half of the campaign, regardless of where he ends up playing, as he strives to be named as part of Mauricio Pochettino's squad.