Marvin Bakalorz of Hannover 96 is disappointed of being relegated after the Bundesliga match between Hannover 96 and Sport-Club Freiburg. (Getty Images)
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1.4 tackles and more – Norwich signing this 30-year-old midfield anchor would solidify the defence

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Why Norwich City should make a move for Marvin Bakalorz in January

Back in June, German website Fussball Transfers (h/t Eastern Daily Press) had claimed that Norwich City were interested in signing midfielder Marvin Bakalorz from Hannover 96.

However, a deal didn’t materialize and he stayed put at the relegated Hannover 96, even signing a new contract.

Marvin Bakalorz, 30, who joined Hannover from SC Paderborn in 2016, scored once in 25 Bundesliga games in 2018/19. He has played nine times in the Bundesliga 2, with Hannover currently struggling and 15th in the table.

Regardless of the German extending his stay at the club in the summer, Norwich City must reignite their interest and test Hannover’s resolve in January.

Norwich City have massively struggled following their top-flight promotion in the summer. They went into the international break bottom of the Premier League after a 2-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Watford.

Daniel Farke’s side has lost nine of their first 12 top-flight games and the lack of quality in the squad needs to be addressed in the January transfer window.

Marvin Bakalorz of Hannover runs with the ball during the Second Bundesliga match between Holstein Kiel and Hannover 96. (Getty Images)
Marvin Bakalorz of Hannover runs with the ball during the Second Bundesliga match between Holstein Kiel and Hannover 96. (Getty Images)

It’s going to be an uphill task for the Canaries to avoid the drop and the biggest problem is the fact that they have the second-worst defensive record in the league. Farke’s side has leaked 28 goals in 12 games, a statistic which simply doesn’t bode well for a team that achieved promotion in May.

Truly, Norwich have looked defensively all over the place with injuries to experienced defenders Timm Klose, Grant Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann playing a big role in it.

Farke must make it a topmost priority to bring in defensive reinforcements during the winter window but he also needs a player who can shield the backline.

Due to an injury crisis in defence, Alex Tettey has been used as a centre-back of late. That’s when Norwich could do with a new defensive midfielder in the squad and Marvin Bakalorz should be a good choice.

A defensive midfielder by trade, Bakalorz has the versatility to switch between defensive and central roles in the middle of the park and Norwich can view him as an upgrade on Tettey.

Norwich City players celebrate. (Getty Images)
Norwich City players celebrate. (Getty Images)

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As per WhoScored.com, the 30-year-old has averaged 1.4 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.9 clearances and 0.1 blocks in the Bundesliga 2.

Verdict

Signing Bakalorz might be a bit of a gamble for Norwich, given that he has turned 30 and never played outside Germany in his entire career but he would be worth the investment.