Ken Aboh’s new contract a triumph for Norwich City’s new era

Even as late as a few weeks ago, there seemed to be a resignation that him remaining his current contract was unlikely and the reality would be Aboh swanning off into the sunset like close personal friend Alex Matos did 12 months prior.  

There were countless reasons for why the situation had deteriorated to such an extent - primarily, it revolved around a concern over pathway and a lack of clarity about the route into the first team. 

David Wagner’s reluctance to use young talent a lack of loan opportunity were all contributing factors to the frustrations that had grown for Aboh and his camp. Perhaps demonstrated by the fact that his lengthy involvement in the first-team picture was reduced to a nine minute cameo against Rotherham. 

Alex Matos slipped through Norwich City’s fingers before signing for Chelsea. (Image: Norwich City FC)

In Aboh’s mind wasn’t just Matos’ situation, but was Bali Mumba’s last summer as well. That situation is quoted by those around other young players in equal measure as an area of concern. Repairing that trust thereafter can be tough. 

With that context, the fact that Norwich have convinced Aboh to sign a new and long-term deal is a personal triumph for their new era and for Ben Knapper’s power of persuasion. 

Simply discussing a willingness for young talent to play a part isn’t enough - that has to be backed up in actions. The fact Aboh has bought into Knapper’s vision is a positive moment. 

It’s the repercussions of this agreement. Aboh’s concerns were well-known. Other young players will feel reassured by the site of him staying put. 

Many would have conceded defeat and accepted fate. Knapper has been constant with his dialogue that Carrow Road was the best place for the striker’s development. 

He has won that argument. The vision sold positive enough to convince Aboh to sign a lengthy deal that protects his value and puts renewed trust in Norwich to look after his development. 

There was other interest from England and overseas in the striker - but Norwich put together a package that would represent the best financial choice for Aboh at this stage of his career, even if that wasn’t a primary motivation for the teenager. 

It was always about clarity and game time - it is likely that the upcoming season for the striker will be spent away from Norfolk on a loan deal. 

After scoring 36 goals in 76 youth team appearances since the 2020/21 campaign, Aboh has proved he can score goals at youth level. Anymore time spent in those conditions is futile. It now needs to be about pushing him into a first-team environment. 

Ben Knapper has played a leading role in convincing Aboh to stay. (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)

Norwich will be hoping he can have a similar impact to what Abu Kamara achieved at Portsmouth last season.

That would leave him well-placed, with Ashley Barnes out of contract, to mount a challenge for a starting berth next summer with a block of evidence that he is ready for the step up. That does feel logical. 

Equally, the calculation needs to be made that it is better to expose Aboh to a consistent amount of game time elsewhere rather than cameos off the bench that will do little for his development. Norwich fans need only to recall Adam Idah’s situation and how a lack of loan move hurt him to be guided about what is right for the 19-year-old. 

But there is a possibility and a world in which Aboh impresses Johannes Hoff Thorup sufficiently during pre-season, coupled with others departing, that could push him up the pecking order. 

Idah could depart back to Celtic. Josh Sargent is attracting interest from elsewhere after an impressive campaign last term. Barnes is no spring chicken but still has plenty to offer. 

Aboh will get a window in pre-season to stake his claim to Thorup that will be critical to establishing a relationship. The Dane’s track record with young talent and statistics around embedding academy players at Nordsjaelland will have helped Knapper’s cause in selling the wider vision. 

But if Aboh can impress in training and in friendly matches - there is no reason why he cannot be part of the first-team picture. 

Ken Aboh made his first appearance for Norwich City last season. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Norwich cannot stifle his development by placing him in the halfway house that Idsh occupied for so long, though. If minutes cannot guaranteed, then the long-term picture has to be viewed rather than what benefits the first-team in the here and now. 

Knapper, who was in charge of pathways at Arsenal, will be acutely aware of the necessity of playing regularly. The noises at present are that a loan move will be the next step for Aboh. That feels like the right step at this stage. 

There has been so much excitement around Aboh for a prolonged period of time. Losing him on a free transfer would have been a tragedy for a club that needs young talent to be successful for financial and footballing reasons. 

This is an early win for City’s new era and will only add to the increasing confidence and optimism that is rising among the fan base.