Video
‘It’s only a matter of time until he takes that step to the highest level’ - Buendia mentor on City gem
Emi Buendia is pushing Norwich City towards the Premier League Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Norwich City ace Emi Buendia is heading to the top, insists his previous club boss Rubén de la Barrera.
Buendia arrived at Carrow Road after an impressive loan stint with Spanish outfit Cultural Leonesa last season.
The 22-year-old was unable to keep Leon in the second division, but his eye-catching displays earned him a move to England, where is now a key figure in the Canaries’ Championship promotion push.
De la Barrera is convinced his former charge is made for the Premier League, as City look to seal the deal over the run in.
“The progress he has made this year doesn’t surprise me because, from my point of view, I think the move to Norwich was exactly what Emi needed after his time at Leon,” said de la Barrera, speaking to Skysports.
You may also want to watch:
“He needed to put himself in another demanding situation, in a dressing room full of men and with less protection around him.
“I think the year at Leon, for what he experienced at a personal level as much as at a sporting level, gave him the motivation to take the next step, to leave his comfort zone and experience a totally different situation.
Most Read
- 1 EFL announce revised schedule to avoid Prince Philip funeral clash
- 2 'You get relegated playing the Norwich way' - Old boy Bruce on Magpies' sorry plight
- 3 Premier League here we come for City chief Farke
- 4 Paddy Davitt: Player ratings after Canaries' 1-0 Derby County win
- 5 Paddy's Pointers: Five observations from the Canaries' spirited 1-0 Championship win against Derby County
- 6 Record-breaking week continues for Canaries
- 7 Paddy Davitt verdict: Wazza and City's great leap forward
- 8 'We showed Norwich too much respect' - Rooney on Rams' reverse
- 9 ‘Ninety points is usually enough’ - Dowell buzzing for City’s big day
- 10 'Champagne on ice' - City set for Carrow Road celebration next week
“If you ask me whether I can see Emi playing in the Premier League in the short-term, then my answer is absolutely yes.
“It’s only a matter of time until he takes that step into football of the highest level. That could be in the Premier League with Norwich, or in any other top league in Europe.”
