There aren't many superlatives that haven't been used to describe Teemu Pukki's contribution at Norwich City. 

This year does feel different, with the knowledge that it may be his last at the club. 

Having made his desire to leave the club public through his agent in the summer, it does feel like his Norwich City story is coming to an end - yet his importance to Dean Smith's squad is still invaluable.

When Pukki initially signed for Norwich, there were undeniably doubts about how successful he would be. I saw him play for Celtic and, by his own admission, his time in Scotland was a real struggle. 

He always had a fantastic attitude at Celtic but found himself playing out of position in wide areas, which is why I wouldn't subscribe to some supporters' views about switching his role in the team. 

It just wasn't the right fit for him at that time and I've had similar experiences in my career. To his credit, he joined Brondby, worked hard to rediscover his goalscoring touch and then gave British football another go with Norwich. 

That refusal to be beaten or defined by his Celtic experience is a testament to his character. I'm certain that spell taught him a lot and has benefited both him and Norwich. 

What a signing he has been for Norwich. As a free transfer, it has to be one of the greatest pieces of recruitment from the club in their history. 

Pukki isn't just about goals - he brings work rate, humility and a quiet form of leadership.

He may have scored the decisive goal in Norwich's 1-0 win over Swansea at the weekend, but just as important was his ability to defend from the front and tireless running. 

Pukki's numbers, particularly at Championship level, speak for themselves. 

80 goal contributions in 105 matches in the second tier is a phenomenal record. Even this season, when Norwich have struggled in the final third, he has scored seven and assisted four in 21 appearances. That works out as an average of just over a goal or assist once every two matches. 

Pukki has been the club's top-scorer in every season since he signed back in 2018 - that is not an easy thing to do. Beyond that, he is never injured, is always available and poses a constant threat to defenders with his movement. 

His goal in South Wales means he is now Norwich's fourth highest all-time goalscorer - surpassing a player that I really looked up to, Robert Fleck, in the process. 

Pukki has etched his name into Norwich folklore already - he needs 15 goals in 24 games to become just the third player in the club's history to become a centurian. 

With his record and the seamless nature that he has broken records since joining Norwich - who would be brave enough to bet against him? 

But to suggest his quality is limited to this level would be wrong - for any player to score 20 goals in two Premier League seasons in teams that performed as badly as Norwich did is remarkable. 

Just imagine how bad it would have been if they didn't possess Pukki for either campaign. He is one of the only players to emerge from last season with any semblance of credit. 

Pukki is a Premier League player and has proven himself to be capable of playing at that level - so you can understand why there was a desire to test the water and see if a top-flight club would be interested last summer. 

Norwich were always going to activate the year's option they had to extend his stay at the club - but just as they were entitled to do that, Pukki is entitled not to sign a fresh contract. 

Players always run down their contracts for certain reasons. From the outside, it does look like he wants a fresh challenge and go elsewhere.

The Pink Un: Teemu Pukki has been an important player to boss Dean Smith.Teemu Pukki has been an important player to boss Dean Smith. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Limited) 

The bigger question for Norwich is whether they can afford to replace him, and how much it may cost to do so. 

It feels nigh on impossible to replace his goals for the team - so the club have to make a beeline for him and make him an offer that he cannot refuse. 

But if Pukki's mind is set then there will be little that Norwich can do to keep him here. Negotiations and talks will already have taken place between Stuart Webber and his representatives. 

His game isn't based solely on pace so you wouldn't expect that his game will suffer over the next two years or so. Pukki is always in good shape and is a really natural, instinctive finisher. 

Getting Pukki tied down is an absolute no-brainer for Norwich. Quite simply, how do they better him?

Josh Sargent and Adam Idah are on the books but are still young and Pukki remains the player to oust as the primary, first-choice striker. The objective in the second portion of the campaign is to discover a consistent supply line for him. 

The evidence of his career to date shows that if he is supplied with the chances then he scores goals. I don't see his age being a massive issue and a two-year deal would make the most sense. 

Whether players become affected by their contractual situations is wholly individual. It can really play on the minds of some but others are able to simply get on with it. 

Given the type of player he has been, I don't see it affecting the way he plays. He will continue to give his all for the club - but I would be shocked if he didn't know what his plan was for next season. 

At this stage of his career, Pukki will be conscious that he has very few opportunities left to secure a big contract. He may well view this as his final window to do so. 

If Pukki was to depart the club this summer, I don't think anybody could begrudge him given his service to the club over the last few years but it would be undoubtedly a major blow for Norwich. 

In a strange way, it would probably affect them more if they were to gain promotion to the Premier League and then he decided to leave - because they would need to spend money on signing a replacement. That is easier to do at Championship level. 

In the here and now, it's about utilising his qualities whilst he is a Norwich player and enjoying him for long as possible. 

Whatever happens from here - he is a club legend. 

The Pink Un: Saturday's win over Swansea was an important result for Norwich boss Dean Smith.Saturday's win over Swansea was an important result for Norwich boss Dean Smith. (Image: Focus Images Limited)

SUTTON EXTRA

Saturday's win over Swansea served as a chance for Dean Smith to stick two fingers up at his doubters. 

With premature reports of Russell Martin being a potential contender should Norwich make a change and some supporters wishing to see the current Swansea boss succeed him - the worst thing would have been another defeat. 

In spite of a struggle to carve out attacking opportunities, Norwich were much improved out of possession and had a better structure to their press. 

Park everything else, given how the Middlesbrough game unfolded before the break, a result was of paramount importance if only to buy himself some space to work and to ease the mounting pressure. 

The aim now has to be about putting building blocks on top of those foundations laid in South Wales and to achieve something they haven't managed since mid-September by winning consecutive league matches when my former club Blackburn come to Carrow Road this weekend. 

Jon Dahl Tomasson has, despite Saturday's poor defeat to Preston, done a remarkable job so far this campaign but much like Norwich, Blackburn lack consistency in their performances and results. 

They have been an all or nothing side this season and are yet to record a single draw in 22 matches. In Ben Brereton Diaz, they possess one of the best players in the division at their disposal.

For all the noise and unrest that has followed Smith and Norwich around this season - they sit fourth in the table at the halfway stage of the season. It's hard to reflect on that with anything but positivity. 

This was always going to be a difficult transition back to the Championship given the disastrous nature of their relegation last season. But there is still so much more improvement required in a league that remains so tight. 

With four of the next five matches being played at Carrow Road, Norwich have a real chance to turn the page and shift the narrative. 

It is likely to be a festive period that defines the mood music around the rest of the season. If Norwich can make progress and prove they have turned a corner, then many may find it easier to get on board with Smith's vision.