Norwich City XI of Former Canaries Still Playing

Today, I am putting together a team of former Norwich City players still in the game. In order to put together the strongest team possible, I will be considering players who have played for Norwich on loan as well as contracted professionals.

As always, I welcome feedback on my selections and suggestions on who should have been included. It is a shame some players have retired early. Dean Ashton and Darren Huckerby would surely be on this team if they were still in the game.

Robert Green (Goalkeeper)

There can be no doubt that Robert Green is one of best goalkeepers the club has had in recent times. The talented shot-stopper came through the youth system at Carrow Road and proved to be very capable between the sticks.

Green made over 200 appearances for the squad, represented the club in the Premier League and played for England while still a Canary before joining his current club, West Ham. 

Ryan Bertrand (Left Back)

During the period that the club used a lot of loan players, Ryan Bertrand proved to be one of the better ones. The pacy full-back made over 50 league appearances for Norwich over two seasons. Bertrand is still only 22 years old—could Paul Lambert see him as a good addition to his squad? Chances at Chelsea are surely going to be very limiting. 

Jurgen Colin (Right Back)

I am not sure Norwich City fans ever saw the best of Dutch defender Jurgen Colin. The player signed for just £250,000, and it looked like a tidy bit of business. Colin went on to make over 50 league appearances in Norfolk over a two-year spell.

The 31-year-old is now playing back in Holland with Dutch giants Ajax. 

Martin Taylor (Central Defender)

Martin Taylor was only at Norwich City for a very brief time. But he impressed a lot of people, and, at the time, most fans would have wanted to see that loan spell extended.

Martin Taylor has proven to have been a very capable player at Birmingham City and his current club, Watford. However, Championship football is probably his level.

Jason Shackell (Central Defender)

Jason Shackell came through the youth system at Carrow Road and has had two spells with the club. He was a popular player at the club and was part of the squad that played in the Premier League for that one season.

He has since gone on to be a solid Championship player for Doncaster, Barnsley and his current club, Derby County.

Craig Bellamy (Left Winger)

I think it is fair to say that Craig Bellamy is one of the best players to come out of the Norwich youth system. He has played the majority of his football in the Premier League and has played international football for Wales.

It was, of course, Norwich that made him the player he is today. I'm sure if Liverpool decided to get rid of him, he would be welcomed back to Carrow Road. Wages might be an issue, but Craig can play for free, he has enough money now. Clubs have spent a combined total of £45million on transfer fees for Bellamy. 

David Bentley (Right Winger)

David Bentley was on loan at Norwich during the club's single season in the Premier League (2004-05). This was Bentley's first real taste of Premier League football, and he proved what he could do. That led to his move from Arsenal to Blackburn.

The player's career has gone downhill since then. But he is still only 27 years old—could Paul Lambert get the best out of him? He would provide some decent competition for Anthony Pilkington on the right wing.

Henri Lansbury (Central Midfielder)

Henri Lansbury was part of things at Carrow Road last season. He is a hardworking midfielder with ability to create and score goals. This season, he is spending the season at West Ham but is still an Arsenal player.

It will be interesting to see if he makes the grade at Arsenal. If not, I'm sure most Norwich City fans would welcome him back with open arms. 

Dickson Etuhu (Central Midfielder)

Dickson was always a very capable midfielder when he was at Norwich. So, it should come as little surprise that he has gone on to become a solid player in the Premier League with Fulham.

Etuhu made over 60 appearances for Norwich City during his time in Norfolk. It will be interesting to see where his career goes from here. 

Ched Evans (Striker)

Ched Evans was another player that came to Norfolk on loan and impressed nearly everyone. He was at Norwich in the 2007-08 season and scored 10 goals. Evans is now playing for Sheffield United and has scored over 40 goals in less than 80 starts.

Evans can expect to be playing at Championship level, at least, next season, irrespective of if Sheffield United win promotion or not. 

Robert Earnshaw (Striker)

Robert Earnshaw is a striker who just scores goals. Some people have suggested that he isn't so much of a team player. However, what he does do is finish chances when he has an opportunity. This is certainly what Norwich City fans will remember of the Welshman.

He scored 27 goals in less than 50 league games in Norfolk. Earnshaw, now 31, is playing his football with Cardiff City. However, injuries have started to catch up with him, and he isn't always preferred anyway. But he is certainly the sort of player that you want in your squad.

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