‘Definitely’ – Thorup backs Norwich City starlet for Championship football next season

Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup has backed Brad Hills for a step up to Championship football next season.

Norwich City are a club well-versed in the development of young players. NCFC have seen plenty of youngsters come through the academy ranks and into the first-team over the years.

There have been opportunities for some academy reared talents this season but the focus has largely been on players recruited from elsewhere.

However, the likes of Brad Hills have found opportunities out on loan. After time in Johannes Hoff Thorup’s senior ranks over the first half of the season, a switch to Stockport County was sanctioned in the winter to give him more senior experience.

Having started in eight of the last 10 League One games, Norwich City boss Thorup has expressed he thinks Hills is ready for a step up to Championship football next season.

Speaking to the Pink Un, Thorup acknowledgments the NCFC starlet will need assessing to see how he fits the side but Championship football awaits Hills.

“I think he is [ready to play in the Championship],” the Norwich City boss said.

“I think he is in many ways, and I think he will definitely be after this season.

“Then what we have to find out is if he’s ready for us, because we have a very clear way of doing things. We have a clear set of things that our centre-backs have to be able to do.

“That’s, of course, what we have to find out, so I think it’s guaranteed that he will be here in an even better shape and even more motivated to make his breakthrough here when he comes back. But we’ll have to see.”

A logical step?

It feels as though it is the right time for Hills to be given a chance to play regularly in the Championship next season.

He found limited minutes over the first half of the campaign with Norwich City, hence the mid-season loan to Stockport County. However, having managed that move well after a strong League Two stint at Accrington Stanley, Championship football is the logical next step.

It remains to be seen whether Hills can prove he warrants a shot in the NCFC starting XI or if he’s sent on loan to a side perhaps a little lower down the division.

An opening in Thorup’s side

It does feel as though there will be openings at centre-back at Norwich City ahead of next season.

Jose Cordoba likely has a place but a more long-term option than Shane Duffy is required. Winter signing Ruairi McConville will get a chance to develop into such a role but Hills is bound to get chances come the summer too.

One or two centre-backs need to be signed but Hills can force his way into the fray with a strong end to this season and some impressive work in the summer once back at Carrow Road.