Sam McCallum, Norwich City’s left back, has had limited game time this season due to the consistent performances of Przemyslaw Placheta in Dimi Giannoulis’ absence. McCallum has had to patiently wait for an opportunity to prove himself. Therefore, it was surprising to see his inclusion in the starting lineup against Coventry City. The match was challenging for McCallum as he had to contend with highly-rated Japanese winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. While Sakamoto got the better of him on a few occasions, McCallum remained reliable and defensively solid. However, he didn’t possess the same attacking qualities as Giannoulis, who is known for breaking presses and offering quality in possession.
Norwich struggled to progress the ball forward during the game, which highlighted the importance of Giannoulis and Ben Gibson on the left side in previous matches. McCallum’s best attacking moments came from delivering crosses into Coventry’s box, although none were converted into goals. Despite his solid performance, it is unlikely that McCallum will dethrone Giannoulis as the starting left back on a regular basis. If he continues to have limited game time, he may consider searching for a new destination in January.
McCallum’s contractual situation is also worth monitoring, as he is close to entering the final six months of his deal with Norwich City. Talks with Giannoulis regarding his contract are unlikely to start until 2024, and the decisions regarding player contracts will be made by new sporting director Ben Knapper. Additionally, Guilherme Montoia, an ex-Benfica left-back who joined Norwich’s U21 set-up in the summer, has been highly rated and may be integrated into the first team in the future. However, for now, Giannoulis remains the first choice, and McCallum’s mission is to get closer to the conversation and put pressure on him through training and opportunities in the starting lineup.
In conclusion, McCallum’s return to the starting lineup was solid but not enough to keep Giannoulis sidelined for long. Despite flashes of attacking promise, McCallum will need to continue proving himself and bide his time for opportunities. However, breaking into the starting lineup consistently may prove to be a tall order given Giannoulis’ suitability to Norwich’s system. McCallum’s future and potential contract negotiations will be important factors to watch in the coming months.
