Analysis of Abu Kamara's Norwich City transfer request

Kamara officially submitted his transfer request at City on Monday, and is the latest player to make their desire to depart Carrow Road public knowledge in a summer of significant change at the club. 

The move is the latest blow for Johannes Hoff Thorup and Ben Knapper in a summer full of curveballs and examples of players attempting to utilise their powers to disrupt and force moves away from the club. 

Idah made clear his desire to return to Celtic and was disciplined for failing to meet up with his team-mates for a flight to Austria ahead of a pre-season camp. Rowe withdrew from duty 20 minutes before a team meeting ahead of City's opening day clash against Oxford United and has been subsequently banished to the U21s. 

Now, with Idah's situation resolved and Rowe's moving in the same direction with Norwich and Marseille, plus others, close to agreeing a deal, Kamara's saga looks set to become the latest of a drama-hit summer. 

Kamara, 21, returned to City after an incredibly impressive first loan at Portsmouth that saw him play a major role in John Mousinho's team's charge to the League One title. He was ever-present and much-loved during his time at Fratton Park. 

Since returning to Norfolk, the place in charge of his development since the age of 10, Kamara has been unable to nail down a starting berth in Thorup's squad. On Saturday, young Gabe Forysth was favoured on the right-hand side, although the youngster was introduced from the bench late on. 

All five of his City appearances to date have come as a substitute. His only goal was a tap-in against Stevenage in the Carabao Cup first round last week. 

Abu Kamara shone on loan at Portsmouth last season. (Image: PA)

Kamara's camp have felt a growing unease throughout the summer that Carrow Road was not the best destination for the winger. That has been based largely on a feeling of suitability in the long-term rather than unhappiness towards the direction of travel or relationships with City's key actors. 

The hope is that a change of scenery, much like it did at Portsmouth last season, can spark another surge in his development. But it is worth noting that Kamara took time to adapt to life on the south coast and initially came under fire from supporters. 

What exactly sparked a transfer request is unknown, but Kamara's desire for a fresh challenge has been clear throughout the summer and has bubbled to the surface with this drastic step. 

The request has caught Norwich off-guard. As recently as the last fortnight, there had been some communication between the camps about potentially extending Kamara's contract, which has 12 months plus another year's option left to run. 

Despite constant speculation and strong interest from across the Championship, Scotland and overseas, there is yet to be any formal bid received by City for his services. This latest move is expected to spark that from parties monitoring his situation. 

City's stance is that they don't wish to sell Kamara. However, conversations would need to take place if a willing buyer came to the table, given that it is in nobody's interest to retain a player who doesn't wish to play for the club. 

Externally, supporters' views will be two-fold: ' Why does young academy talent wish to leave Norwich?' and 'Is this a wider issue with the club's development of young talent?' 

Idah, Rowe and Kamara are all academy graduates. Generally, there is a more entrenched sense of loyalty and gratitude owing to the work in their development. That doesn't seem to be the case here. 

Maybe there is a degree of coincidence around this - Idah wanted to depart City in January, enjoyed great success at Celtic and wanted a permanent return after many frustrating seasons at Carrow Road. 

Whilst City's project suited Rowe, he was bought in. There is a fierce ambition within him, but as soon as that no longer was required at Carrow Road, he opted to make an error in judgment around his conduct in the hope of taking the next step. That transactional mindset has soured his relationship with supporters. 

Kamara netted his first Norwich City goal last week. (Image: Paul Chesterton)

Kamara's has been slightly different. It is about a lack of alignment, not necessarily about City's direction of travel. All circumstances around the trio's reasons for departing are different. That doesn't point to a widespread problem. 

It is a perfect storm that has opened above Knapper and Thorup to contend with, rather than a consequence of their decision-making or ideologies. 

Likewise, with someone like Ken Aboh, who did have concerns about his own pathway, Knapper and his representatives got around a table and constructed a plan that was agreed upon. A new deal was signed. A loan now is expected prior to the end of the window. 

As for conduct, or advice sought by representatives - all of which are different in the three high-profile examples this summer - that is a matter for the individual. 

Max Aarons received tangible interest from Barcelona during his time at Carrow Road. Instead of toys being thrown out of the pram, which many would have understood, he played amidst intense speculation against Preston North End. 

That has set a high-bar as to the expectations many supporters have for the young talent in the building - but younger players are more prone to errors. Some representatives at similar stages of their career likewise. 

In two of the cases, Rowe and Kamara, the contractual element weakens Norwich's position, even with an option. If City wants to maximise value, this is the window to do it, knowing that any price will depreciate significantly next summer. 

There is not enough evidence currently to suggest this is endemic throughout the academy or the dressing room. 

For Thorup, it epitomises the adversity he has overseen in his opening months in charge and, perhaps, the mission he has to alter the culture inside the first-team squad.