Nathan Redmond has been linked with West Ham and Stoke City (Picture: Getty Images)

Anyone who watched England under-21s’ 7-1 demolition of Guinea will have seen Nathan Redmond smash one in from 25-yards.

If Norwich City had a chief executive (they’re currently searching for a new one), he, or she, would have been ecstatic. In the time it took Redmond’s right foot to swoosh through the ball and for it to hit the net, his value soared.

Even with just a year left on his contract he is, by some distance, City’s most saleable asset and inevitably the vultures are circling. He’s played his last game in a City shirt.



At the club’s player-of-the-season dinner, Alex Neil suggested that as many as eight clubs have enquired as to his availability with West Ham and Stoke City amongst those reported to have expressed an interest.


So, on the basis he will be departing Carrow Road, what will any new employer get for their money?

Youth

At 22 he just sneaks into the ‘still learning’ category, although having made his Birmingham City debut at just 16 he’s already clocked up over 170 senior appearances and has considerable Premier and Football League experience under his belt. This includes two Championship promotions and two Premier League relegations.

International nous

He’s been in England squads since the age of 15 and has represented his country at every level through from u16 to u21. Along the way he’s chipped in with several goals and is now regarded as an ‘old head’ at u21 level. Any new employer will get a player well versed in different styles of the game.

Nathan Redmond doesn’t always get his final ball right (Picture: Getty Images)

Frustration

He’s old fashioned in that his natural habitat is out wide, although can also play on the left where he naturally favours cutting inside onto his right foot.

His strength (although it doesn’t happen often enough) is his ability to run with the ball and take on defenders. While not an out-and-out flyer, he is quick.

But – and here’s the frustration – he’s your archetypal winger. He’ll flip from world-beater to half-hearted in an instant and if you need a wide-man who’ll consistently offer protection to a full-back, he’s not your man.

Inconsistent delivery

Again, a typical winger. In the mould of Aaron Lennon, he’s renowned for getting himself into good positions only to fail to deliver a quality final ball. City fans became familiar with crosses either being under-hit, over-hit or ending up in row Z, albeit Neil’s penchant for playing a lone striker meant his task was nigh on impossible at times.

Match winner

He isn’t, or wasn’t, universally loved by City fans. Many see him as ‘lightweight’ and his reticence to beat a defender in favour of playing a safe pass has been the cause of much annoyance. But – and many will disagree – Norwich were a better, more dangerous side with him in it.



So while some will be keen that City cash-in – and either way it’s important they squeeze every last pound out of any deal – he’ll be missed… big time.

Someone’s about to get themselves a gem.