Norwich City’s first foray into the summer transfer market has begun with the acquisition of Steven Whittaker from Rangers on a four-year deal. The 28-year-old Scot becomes Chris Hughton’s first signing since joining from Birmingham last month and arrives on a free deal due to the cancellation of his contract at the crisis-hit Glasgow giants:
Although Hughton has stressed the new boy’s adaptability played a major part in his thinking, it’s likely that the move will address the problematic right-back area for the Norfolk club, with Kyle Naughton returning to parent club Spurs following the end of his season-long loan deal in 2011/12. The new man in charge revealed:
In Steven we have a player who is very versatile – he can play anywhere across the back four and anywhere across midfield, so there’s plenty of versatility there. It’s probably a good time for him. He has of course been used to playing at a very high level when he was at Rangers, and in a lot of big games with a passionate crowd behind him. So the stage of the Premier League is certainly one that won’t faze him with his experience.
The Statistics
A boyhood Hearts fan, Whittaker began his career at city rivals Hibs back in 2001/02. He lasted six seasons at the Edinburgh club but failed to nail down a regular role until his third campaign at Easter Road, when new boss Tony Mowbray installed him as first-choice at right-back. Whittaker made a total of 141 league appearances and scored four goals before securing a move to Rangers in the summer of 2007 for a fee of £2m.
Starting off as a left-back at Ibrox, Whittaker was afforded the chance to move to his more natural position on the opposite flank after the transfer of Alan Hutton to Spurs in January 2008. During his stint at the Glasgow club, Whittaker established himself in the national squad and racked up the silverware with as many as eight trophies accrued.
In total, he played 150 league games at Rangers, returning 19 goals and 16 assists, though the 2009-10 season was a particular stand-out as he grabbed 11 goals in all competitions. After objecting to the transfer of his contract from Rangers to a new company set up by owner Charles Green following the club’s recent financial meltdown, Whittaker was effectively a free agent and links up with compatriots Simon Lappin and Russell Martin at Carrow Road.
The Prospects
A regular role in Hughton’s back-four looks likely for the 6 foot 1 inch defender but Norwich’s problems in defence under Paul Lambert last time round need immediate address. The Canaries shipped 66 goals in the 2011/12 campaign – the joint-fourth worst record in the league – and picked up a mere three clean sheets all season, conceding in every one of their 19 fixtures on the road.
A price tag in the region of 4.5 can be expected but until we witness Norwich’s ability to keep out opponents, Fantasy managers are likely to steer well clear of their defensive assets. The fixture list has been particularly cruel to the Carrow Road club – Hughton’s first couple of months look horrendous and hand them just two decent looking matches – home clashes with QPR and West Ham – in the first eight Gameweeks of 2012/13.
Their first four road trips (ful, tot, new, che) could easily see them leave empty-handed, while the visit of Liverpool and Arsenal hardly entices investment. Essentially, then, it affords us a chance to sit back and assess Whittaker’s potential, analysing his ability to adapt to his new surroundings, while keeping a keen eye on the club’s progress under Hughton before we even begin to consider the prospect of drafting in the new boy or any of his fellow Norwich team mates.
Further Reference
Steven Whittaker Wikipedia
More Steven Whittaker Stats
UEFA Cup Goal v Sporting Lisbon
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