Norwich boss Chris Hughton made his fourth signing of the summer earlier this week by snapping up Martin Olsson from Championship outfit Blackburn. The 25-year-old moves to Carrow Road on a four-year contract and follows Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, Nathan Redmond and Javier Garrido through the door, with the latter sealing a permanent deal after a successful loan stint last season:
Speaking to the Canaries official website, Hughton revealed the Swede’s versatility on the flank was a key factor in his decision to purchase the former Ewood Park star:
“We’re delighted with the addition of Martin. He’s been playing in England for seven years and is well acclimatised to the Premier League. He can also play anywhere on the left hand side so he brings us good flexibility in that sense, plus at 25 he’s at an age where he has some experience and also some time to improve. At this time it’s about improving the squad that we have and Martin certainly does that.”
The History
A product of the Högaborgs BK youth set-up in his native Sweden, Olsson was picked up by Blackburn in January 2006. Having continued his development with the Rovers youth side, Olsson made a couple of appearances for the senior side in 2007/08 in a season that saw him voted the club’s Young Player of the Year.
Despite his attacking forays down the flank, the Swede failed to thrive during his time in Lancashire – Olsson produced two goals and nine assists over 88 Premier League matches and managed just one assist in 29 appearances in the Championship last season. On the international stage, he’s been a little more successful, though; Olsson has turned out a combined 17 times for Sweden’s Under 19 and Under 21 sides, scoring once, but has produced four goals and an assist from just 17 appearances for the senior side.
The Prospects
Hughton’s words will certainly afford Fantasy managers a fair degree of optimism for the season ahead, with Olsson potentially under consideration as an out of position prospect. Given that he’s likely to be listed as a defender across the Fantasy games, a move to the Norwich left wing in a 4-4-1-1 would bring him onto many a radar, though of all the scenarios that could unfold next term, that is clearly the most optimistic.
In midfield, it remains to be seen whether Olsson can oust Anthony Pilkington as a left wing regular; granted, the latter made just 25 starts last season but his game time was mainly curtailed by injury – the fact he still managed to find the net five times (just one less than Robert Snodgrass) highlights his keen eye for goal. In defence, Olsson also has a fight on his hands to find a way past Garrido as Hughton’s preferred left-back – the Italian started all but four of Norwich’s league fixtures last term and had looked nailed-on until the new boy’s arrival.
While Olsson’s acquisition may hold promise right now, his versatility could be more detrimental than advantageous to his game time, with the worst-case scenario seeing him used as bench-warmer back-up for either Pilkington or Garrido as and when required. Unless pre-season line-ups immediately suggest Olsson is earmarked for a starting berth, Fantasy managers will initially steer clear and look to safer options elsewhere in the Norwich backline.
The likes of Russell Martin, Seb Bassong and Michael Turner all seem set to continue as first-choice picks under Hughton but, having scored three times apiece last term, are likely to be priced higher than the Swede across the Fantasy games – given that Norwich produced 10 clean sheets in 2012/13, a price of around 5.0 for the trio in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) looks on the cards.
Bearing in mind that eight of those clean sheets arrived at Carrow Road, the opening schedule merely furthers Norwich’s appeal; a kind run of home games sees them entertain Villa, Cardiff, West Ham, Palace, Swansea and Fulham in six of the first seven fixtures in front of their own fans, with a strong home/away rotation offered up by twinning Hughton’s side with Stoke. Ultimately, if John Ruddy comes in at 4.5 between the sticks, though, it’s hard to look beyond the Canaries keeper as our most appealing angle for Norwich defensive cover over the campaign ahead.
