Video
‘I’ll have that conversation with them’ – Krul’s advice for in-demand City starlets
Max Aarons and Tim Krul - about to be joined by Jamal Lewis in the background - celebrate Norwich City's Championship title success at Villa Park. Next stop: The Premier League. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
The summer offers may come – but Tim Krul believes Norwich City’s young stars are already at the right place for their careers.
The Canaries' youthful exuberance was a significant part of the potent mix that took Daniel Farke's squad to the Championship title and pertinently, back to the Premier League.
Now Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis, Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell will all arrive back at Colney come the end of the close season, just a few weeks of hard work and impressive form away from making their Premier League debuts.
Others have noticed the progress too, of course. Even before City had wrapped up the title Godfrey was being linked with a switch to Manchester United while Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham have all been touted with interest in Aarons.
"100pc this is the best place for them - and I will have that conversation with them because look at how much they've stepped up this year, and the proof is on the pitch," said City goalkeeper Krul.
You may also want to watch:
"They're playing every week, they're not going to sit behind somebody - they have to play. And if a Manchester United comes in for them, we will loan them back for a couple of years. No problem!
"But that's what they have to do. They are 20, 21, 19. There's no point sitting on the bench. That's why I came here. And I'm 31 now."
Most Read
- 1 Farke reveals Buendia concerns and fitness updates on Pukki and Krul after 2-1 Cardiff win
- 2 City's Giannoulis move enters the end game
- 3 Paddy's Pointers: Five observations from the Canaries' 2-1 Championship win against Cardiff City
- 4 MATCHDAY LIVE: Norwich City complete their double over Cardiff
- 5 Paddy Davitt: Player ratings after Canaries' 2-1 Cardiff win
- 6 STARTING XIs: Pukki missing for City as Barden starts at Cardiff
- 7 No Pukki no problem for Canaries as they move seven points clear at the top
- 8 'As good as I've seen him!' - City fans laud Cantwell performance
- 9 City edging closer to deal for Giannoulis
- 10 'We need to pull our weight' - City skipper relieved to end his goal drought
City will get to bask in their feelgood factor all summer - but given Krul is presently City's most experienced Premier League player, he knows what is coming and plans to make sure his younger team-mates have an idea too.
"I've already started with Jamal," smiled Krul. "I said to him we love each other at the moment - and then we're going to hate each other next year because it's going to be hard, hard graft and we're going to shout at each other. But that's what it's all about.
"The partnerships we're going to have to build, we've already got. We have got a foundation. But it's going to be horrible at times as well. We know that.
"The confidence we can take out of this season is humongous and I can't want until June 13 for the Premier League fixtures to come out.
"Listen, we will have to learn quickly next season because yes, we play some great football - but we have to be realistic. Some risks we've taken, in the Premier League you might get slaughtered.
"We got away with a little bit of naivety this season sometimes. But in pre-season we will definitely speak about that - because you don't get many chances in the Premier League."
- For the latest Norwich City news and opinion follow Michael Bailey on the following channels…
Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey