At times it looked like he could leave – but Cameron Jerome’s heart is at Norwich City and the striker has no plans for that to change any time soon.

Strong summer speculation linked the 31-year-old with moves to City’s Championship rivals Fulham and Derby, but Jerome remained at the Canaries and has proved his worth since August ended – especially given Nelson Oliveira’s continuing struggles with a groin problem.

And contracted to City until the summer 2019 – when City will have the option of a further year – Jerome reaffirmed his affection for the club he currently calls home.

“There’s going to be speculation at times as a player, and you’ve got to be able to deal with that,” he said. “For me, I’m happy here – I can’t express it any other way than that.

“I don’t think the club was close to doing a deal with any club. There was obviously speculation but I thought it was more talk than actual concrete interest.


“From my point of view my family is settled here, I’ve had three amazing years here so far, I’m contracted to the football club and every time I go out on the pitch I try my hardest for the team.

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“I’m happy here and I enjoy playing for this manager, so my heart is here for the time being until my contract runs out and we’ll see from there.”

Jerome’s enjoyment working under head coach Daniel Farke comes alongside the challenge of doing things differently – especially for those of a more attacking nature.

The Pink Un: Cameron Jerome is still waiting for his first Championship goal at Carrow Road this season - although he came very close against Bristol City. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesCameron Jerome is still waiting for his first Championship goal at Carrow Road this season - although he came very close against Bristol City. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

“It’s a difficult one because the way we were playing in the first few games, it was more expansive and more attacking – but then results didn’t go for us,” added Jerome.

“So we’ve gone away from that and been a bit more solid and defensive. But that can sometimes take away a little bit more of your attacking threat because you’ve got wide players starting from deeper positions, forward players tracking back more, we’re playing with two holding midfielders rather than two number 10s or number eights.

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“It’s just finding the right balance and the boss has mentioned that a couple of times as well. It’s horses for courses, different games will require difference systems and he’s so open and flexible in terms of which formations we’ll play.

The Pink Un: Cameron Jerome gives James Maddison a helping and after victory at Madejski Stadium. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesCameron Jerome gives James Maddison a helping and after victory at Madejski Stadium. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

“Fair credit to the players for buying into the way he wants to do that and being so disciplined, not chasing after the ball.

“You don’t see any top-level team not playing as a team nowadays. The best teams in the world do it and the manager is keen to stress that.

“If you want to be in this team you’ve got to work hard for the team. He knows the qualities the players have but you’ve got to be able to do a job for the team as well. That’s just the way he wants it to go.”

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