David Fox hails City’s midfield maestro Marcelino Nunez
Marcelino Nunez is a key cog in Johannes Hoff Thorup’s Norwich City machine – and former Canaries midfielder David Fox grades him among the very best in the Championship.
The Chilean international has flourished in the Dane’s possession-heavy system this season, and displayed his quality in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over West Brom to thread a ball through to Josh Sargent to net an important late winner.
Nunez’s technical quality has been evident throughout this campaign, but despite his quality, Fox has been left frustrated by his struggles with injury.
Once he’s fit, he’s as good as you’re going to find around that level,” Fox said. “He certainly makes things tick. I like the way he plays under the manager and what the manager wants from him. I think that does suit him.
“Sometimes, you’ll see him get on the ball but also make those long runs in behind to stretch the play, which then allows other players to get on the ball.
He’s a really good fit for what the manager wants. He’s a player who’s been there a few years now. If he can stay fit and stay amongst it, he’s a really important player.
“A few of the games I have done, he’s not been available. It’s been frustrating. You could say that for a few of the lads as well just in terms of the injuries. At one point, they were really low on numbers, and it became difficult.”
Those fitness issues are well-documented and haven’t been limited to Nunez, with Fox feeling those periods have hampered City’s progress in Thorup’s debut campaign at Carrow Road.
When they’ve got everyone fit and firing, then they’re a match for anyone,” the former City midfielder said. “But it’s probably not been enough of those times where you say that.
“The games I’ve come to, a couple of the away ones, you just look at the teams and you think they’re probably going to be a little bit short here just in terms of what the Championship is and the firepower that other teams have.
“You need your best players available – like Borja Sainz. How many games did he miss? I know a lot of it’s self-inflicted from him. But it’s the same principle where if you’re going to do anything, if you’re going to be successful, unless you’re one of those teams with the big parachute payments, then you need everyone fit or the majority of players fit for most of the season. Otherwise, it becomes difficult.”
‘Blades fans would love him’ – Sheffield United urged to sign 18-goal Norwich City sensation
The 24-year-old, a winger by trade, has lit up the Championship this season with his creativity and eye for goal.
He has struck 18 goals in all competitions, 17 coming in the league, and been a key figure for the Canaries.
Sheffield United have been linked with the former Spain youth international, although may require Premier League status to secure his signature.
Speaking to Football League World, former Championship midfielder David Prutton has waxed lyrical about Sainz and his suitability to the Blades.
He said: “He really does fit for a Sheffield United move. I think he’d be a wonderful addition given the abundance of options that Chris Wilder has got, he would only add to that when you’re looking at someone potentially finishing as the top scorer in the Championship.
“He also has the ability to assist, and you get the feeling that maybe Wilder will get an extra gear out of him from a team ethic and work rate point of view.
“He’s been a key part of what Norwich have been good at this season alongside Josh Sargent. But Sainz just fits. I think Blades fans would love him as well, because he plays football in such a mercurial way that it’s a wonderful thing to behold and watch. So, it’s a coup for the Blades if they do sign him.”
Sheffield United currently sit top of the Championship table, two points ahead of Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.
Their lead at the top would be more comfortable had they not been docked two points before a ball was kicked.
