English Premier League: 5 Norwich City Players Not Deemed Good Enough

Norwich City manager Paul Lambert recently decided that six Norwich City players were not good enough to be part of a Premier League squad.

Since that decision, one of the chosen six has moved on to a new club, so it didn't seem fair to include him on the list. The player in question was Owain Tudur Jones.

None of the five remaining players have been given a squad number, and they all look certain to leave the club before the end of the current transfer window.

So don't waste any time and check out this slideshow on the mystery five players. They would all make decent signings for Championship or League One clubs.

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Stephen Hughes

Central midfielder Stephen Hughes joined Norwich City in the summer of 2009 on a free transfer. Prior to joining Norwich, Hughes had played for Motherwell, Leicester and Rangers.

However, Hughes has struggled to hold down a regular place in the team at Norwich, and it is no real surprise that he is not considered surplus to requirements.

The writing was really on the wall, when the player was sent out on loan for a month last season to MK Dons. Hughes played six times for the League One club before returning to Norfolk.

It will certainly be interesting to see if MK Dons show an interest in taking the player on a permanent basis, but a return to Scotland looks like the more likely option.

Hughes has shown in his time at Norwich City that he has good ability to pass the ball and an eye for goal. These qualities should see him secure a move without too much difficulty.

Anthony McNamee

Pacy winger Anthony McNamee first signed for Norwich on loan in Novermber 2009 before making the move permanent in January 2010.

Before joining Norwich, McNamee had played games for Swindon, Watford, Barnet and Crewe.

Most Norwich City fans will know that McNamee has plenty of ability and with his pace and trickery, perhaps will feel he didn't fulfill his potential at Carrow Road.

So often did McNamee help Norwich turn games around as an impact substitute. However, for whatever reason was never able to have the same sort of impact when starting games.

With the signings of Anthony Pilkington and Elliott Bennett, it should come as little surprise that McNamee is considered surplus to requirements.

It will be interesting to see if his former club, Swindon Town show an interest, but it's unlikely the player will want to play League Two football next season.

Oli Johnson

Forward Oli Johnson joined Norwich in January 2010. Previously, he had played for Stockport County and was seen very much as a raw talent.

Johnson hasn't really progressed in the way that Paul Lambert would have liked, and a move away from Carrow Road has looked on the cards for some time.

Johnson found first-team opportunities limited at Carrow Road and was sent out on a three-month loan deal to Yeovil last season.

Who knows which clubs be interested in Johnson, but it would be a surprise if he found a club above League One level ready to take a chance. However, former club Stockport County may like to re-sign him.

Cody McDonald

Striker Cody McDonald joined Norwich City in February 2009. Before joining Norwich, McDonald had been playing non-league football for Dartford.

Last season, Cody McDonald spent the season on loan at Gillingham in League Two and impressed by scoring 25 league goals.

However, his record has not been enough to convince Paul Lambert. The Norwich City manager is obviously of the opinion that McDonald is only capable of scoring goals at the lower league level.

Of all the players that are deemed surplus to requirements, McDonald has the most ability and may fancy securing a move to the Championship. I do feel that Norwich might be better hanging on to the player and sending him out on loan to a Championship club.

Hopefully Paul Lambert will be proved to be making the correct decision, but I do fear Norwich are letting a player go that has a great deal of potential.

Steven Smith

Fullback Steven Smith signed for Norwich City in the summer of 2010 on a free transfer.

Prior to signing for Norwich City, Smith had played for Rangers, and at the time, it looked like a good signing. However, Smith failed to settle in Norfolk and made only a handful of appearances.

The player spent the second half of the season on loan to Aberdeen, and a return to Scotland now looks likely.