Norwich City: Chris Sutton column on Gabriel Sara future

Gabriel Sara hit the ground running this season, winning the Championship's player of the month award and playing the same role Rowe has in recent weeks. His strengths were clear to see; the capability of producing moments of magic, the tremendous awareness, the weight of pass.

But underneath the headline-grabbing moments there were weaknesses, and he didn't look the complete all-rounder David Wagner was asking him to be in a midfield two. At St Mary's he scored an incredible goal, but Southampton walked through a soft City centre to score four goals on the day.

Only world-class players can produce match-winning moments week in, week out, but when they cease there's little for the Brazilian to fall back on. As long ago as the Blackburn Rovers loss in November he looked like he lacked the needed defensive skills.

He doesn't get close enough to players, doesn't put them under pressure and doesn't show as much physicality out of possession as he could.

Sara has struggled with the defensive side of his deeper role at times (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

I understand the argument that he's being played out of position, and maybe he would be more comfortable playing further forward, but those defensive demands are on all types of midfielder in the modern game; long gone are the days when a 'number 10' could be a luxury and allow others to do the defensive work.

Even if you look at the most entertaining and attacking sides in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola demands that every one of his Manchester City players presses when they lose the ball, and it's the same with Tottenham Hotspur under Ange Postecoglou.

There was a time when everyone was talking about Sara as the next Norwich player to make their big Premier League move, but I don't see that unless he can improve his defensive work.

The good news is that that's the easy bit. It's much simpler to improve your physical and defensive output than it is to develop the attacking and technical skills he possesses, and in that sense he's an example of what I've been saying in these columns throughout this season.

Wagner has absolutely got things wrong. I've actually felt that Liam Rosenior and Russell Martin have summed up his style of play despite the negative way that's been perceived by some fans. However, that doesn't absolve the players of responsibility, and they need to take their fair share of the blame for what's gone wrong.

David Wagner has been criticised for how he's used the Brazilian (Image: Focus Images Ltd)

If he's to fulfil his considerable potential and reach the level everyone expects him to, Sara has to do that with his own game. If, as Norwich fans won't want to hear but know is the reality, he sees this as the stepping stone to greater things, there are areas Premier League sides will look at and feel aren't quite ready.

Because of that I feel he could be at Carrow Road for a while yet, and I wouldn't say he's playing down quite to the extent that some currently believe he is.

The reality is that if he hasn't made the move already, there are parts of his skillset to be worked on, and that's the case with every Championship player. Even Rowe, who seems to be a target for half of the top flight at present, has weaknesses to iron out, and I'm sure he'd admit that.

Combine those trademark moments with improvement at the other end and City have a top talent on their hands in central midfield as well. With neither, it's hard to see how the Norfolk side are getting the most from one of their most technically talented players at present.

Having their samba star back in the form he showed early in the season would provide a significant short-term boost for Wagner's side. Take it one step further, and he may just earn the move many fear is coming.