Balanced Norwich City reaction given after £14.5m transfer - Borja Sainz to Porto won't "flop" | OneFootball

FLW's Norwich fan pundit has given his verdict on Porto supporters criticising Borja Sainz's performances

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…

Borja Sainz has been criticised by Porto fans this season following his summer switch from Norwich City.

It was reported during the transfer market that the Portuguese side paid a £14.25 million fee to sign the Spaniard after his impressive performances in the Championship.

The winger contributed 18 goals and four assists for the Canaries as they finished 13th in the table, making him a standout player across the division.

Only Leeds United’s Joel Piroe scored more goals last season in the second tier, which led to intense speculation on his future throughout the summer.

This eventually led to his move to Porto, where he has so far registered two goals and two assists from nine appearances in the Primeira Liga.

Porto need to be patient with Borja Sainz

When asked about the criticism Sainz has received at Porto, FLW’s Norwich fan pundit Zeke Downes claimed that patience is needed given he’s done alright so far.

He expects the 24-year-old to be a solid part of their squad but to never set the world alight, suggesting that struggles to maintain his level for a full 90 minutes could keep him from ever reaching the level we’ve seen from someone like Viktor Gyokeres in that division.

“I think Porto fans are being a little bit too over-critical online, like a lot of fans are,” Downes told Football League World.

“Because two goals and two assists in nine games is alright.

“It’s not amazing, but it’s not terrible.

“I think he’s doing as I expected, really.

“I wasn’t expecting him to light it up, I wasn’t expecting him to flop either, so yeah I think they just need a little bit more patience, maybe, to see what he can do.

“But he was never a player that got involved in the whole game.

“He sort of went in and out, not a player that you can really rely on for the full 90, but they would’ve known that when they brought him.

“I think he’ll end up being alright, he’s not going to light it up but I think he will do a decent enough job.”

Norwich have struggled since the departure of Sainz in the summer, with Liam Manning’s position as manager at the club under immense pressure.

The Canaries are 23rd in the Championship table, and will be at risk of relegation to League One if a turnaround in form doesn’t materialise.

Two wins from their opening 12 games, as well as two draws, has left them with only eight points, two from safety.

Borja Sainz isn’t the problem at Porto

Sainz has done okay for himself at Porto, who are also top of the Primeira Liga after nine games.

While he was substituted at half time last weekend in their clash with Moreirense, it is still far too soon to suggest he’s anywhere close to being a flop.

The Spaniard has started every game in the league, as well as two of their three games in the Europa League, so it’s clear he’s seen as a key part of the squad already.

Perhaps more is being expected of him given the fee paid to Norwich to sign him, but it is still early days in his career in Portugal, so some patience is needed as well to give him time to adjust to his new surroundings.