Jerome Onguene of Red Bull Salzburg vies Arkadiusz Milik of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between S.S.C. Napoli and Red Bull Salzburg at Stadio San Paolo on March 7, 2019 in Naples, Italy. (Getty Images)
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Norwich City signing this right-footed 21-year-old would fix defensive woes for Farke

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Why Norwich City should make a move for Jerome Onguene in January

Back in August 2016, highly-respected Ligue 1 journalist Andrew Gibney had claimed that then-Sochaux defender Jerome Onguene was set for a move to Norwich City. However, a deal didn’t materialize.

A product of the Sochaux academy, Jerome Onguene, 21, made his debut for the French club back in 2014/15 season. He spent three seasons with Sochaux, managing 58 appearances across all competitions.

The right-footed centre-back was part of the France squad that won the Under-19 European Championships a few years ago.

Onguene left Sochaux and moved to Stuttgart in 2016 but the German club loaned him to Red Bull Salzburg, where he scored five goals in 22 appearances in six months.

The defender spent the second half of the 2017/18 season on loan with FC Liefering, managing just three appearances. In June 2018, Onguene moved permanently to RB Salzburg.

Jerome Onguene of RB Salzburg during the UEFA Champions League group E match between SSC Napoli and RB Salzburg at Stadio San Paolo on November 05, 2019 in Naples, Italy. (Getty Images)
Jerome Onguene of RB Salzburg during the UEFA Champions League group E match between SSC Napoli and RB Salzburg at Stadio San Paolo on November 05, 2019 in Naples, Italy. (Getty Images)

The 21-year-old has been a regular fixture at Salzburg, helping the club clinch Champions League qualification this term, although they failed to get past their group and will now compete in the Europa League.

The defender has already made 17 appearances across all competitions this season. With Onguene impressing in Austria, Norwich City should renew their interest in him when the transfer window reopens.

After gaining promotion to the top-flight last season, Norwich have struggled and are facing the danger of relegation. They have one of the weakest defences in the league thus far.

Ben Godfrey has been a fixture in the Norwich defence since the start of the campaign but he has lacked a reliable partner beside him. Christoph Zimmermann hasn’t looked at his best since returning from injury, while Timm Klose is out injured and won’t be back until next year.

With their troubles at the back blatantly visible, Daniel Farke should bring in a new defender who could stem the inflow of goals and save them from relegation.

Norwich City manager Daniel Farke. (Getty Images)
Norwich City manager Daniel Farke. (Getty Images)

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With that in mind, Jerome Onguene would be a good addition to the Norwich backline. Despite being just 21, Onguene has solid experience and could transform Farke’s defence.

Standing at 6ft 3in, the Cameroon-born defender possesses the qualities to make a difference. He certainly has the height and physicality to cope with the hustle and bustle of Premier League football.

Verdict

Norwich must prioritise strengthening their backline if they are to stay in the top-flight and hence, signing Onguene would be a smart move in the winter transfer window.