Fan Take: Will Curtis Davies Be Chris Hughton’s Next Summer Signing for Norwich City?

Posted Friday, July 13, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

It is fair to say that the transfer of Curtis Davies from Birmingham City to Norwich City has been expected since Chris Hughton walked in the door at Carrow Road. Therefore, it would be no surprise if the deal finally happened. The fresh link from Sky Sports was not much of a surprise either.

Norwich is short of central defensive options in terms of both numbers and quality. Zak Whitbread was surprisingly released at the end of last season, and manager Chris Hughton will want to keep Russell Martin as a right back. Martin was used as central defender on a number of occasions last season; he did a solid job, but he is likely to be needed at right back in the new season.

In any case, it is generally seen as best practice to use players in their preferred positions. There is also some doubt on the quality of Elliott Ward at Premier League level, and fitness concerns over Daniel Ayala.

Nevertheless, it is likely that Daniel Ayala and Ryan Bennett will be seen as the preferred partnership for the new season. But the two young defenders would surely benefit from a more experienced defender as competition. The Canaries have many talented young players, and the squad has one the youngest average ages in the Premier League.

There shouldn't be much question about the quality that the 27-year-old player has; he has that previous Premier League experience from his time with West Brom and his spell with Aston Villa. In fact, Villa was persuaded to part with £8million in 2008 to sign the defender from West Brom.

Clearly, Chris Hughton knows the player well having worked with him at Birmingham. This is obviously a good sign as Hughton looks to get his squad ready for the new season. I also think he would be a popular signing amongst Norwich fans.

Davies himself will feel that he has a point to prove in the Premier League and that he is worth that £8million fee that Aston Villa paid four years ago. Clearly, Norwich will not need to pay anything like that to recruit the player.