“Another year or two” – Norwich City told to hand long-serving player new deal.

The last two seasons have seen a significant change for Norwich City as a result of their 2022 Premier League relegation.

After adding eight new players to Carrow Road in the summer, new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup has had an uneven start to the new Championship campaign.

Nevertheless, the Canaries have a strong base from which to develop, having already defeated Coventry City and earning a point at home against Sheffield United this season.

The Norwich team now has a lot of talent, but there are concerns about Onel Hernandez, a player who has had difficulty having a significant influence recently.

In just four separate games this season, the 31-year-old has played just 45 minutes; a far cry from his debut year in yellow and green.

Hernandez’s contract issue needs to be resolved.

The Cuban joined in January 2018, and his contract is scheduled to end in the summer. His recent engagement, though, has fallen short of his expectations following his return from a two-year loan at Birmingham City.

Hernandez participated in 35 games in all competitions the previous season, but it already appears that he will play fewer minutes this time around.

Although most of Norwich’s squad is relatively new, the team will still require familiar faces in and around the training field in the upcoming years as they attempt to rebound following their 2023–2024 play-off semifinal loss.

Zeke Downes, a Norwich Fan Pundit for Football League World, thinks Hernandez is still a valuable member of the team and said as much to FLW when asked if Hernandez’s contract should be extended: “I personally would be happy to let Hernandez stay even longer because it’s not like he’s on massive wages.”

“He always gives his all because he loves the club. Yes, he isn’t quite up to par, but we also need players who are familiar with the team and the supporters, and Zeke possesses both of those qualities,” Zeke began.

He still has two or three years left in him, so it’s not like he’s extremely old, and he is aware that he is not a starter. To assist all the new men fit in, I would be delighted to give him an additional year or two, as he is aware that he is at most a squad player.

“Otherwise, there would be a lot of change all at once, and we do need guys who have seen success in the past. I would keep him around for another year or two since he is currently the only two people left, Hanley and McLean, I believe.”

Hernandez is still valuable, as demonstrated by his Carabao Cup performances.

Hernandez hasn’t played much in the league, but he was there for the entire Norwich Carabao Cup match.

The Premier League team Crystal Palace soundly defeated the Canaries in the competition’s second round, but they had a highly intriguing matchup against League One team Stevenage in the first round.

Hernandez was outstanding against Boro, contributing an assist and two goals to Abu Kamara’s opening goal.

The game was a great showcase for his remaining skills and a great advertisement to Throup that the 31-year-old can be useful when called upon, something that could lead to another year at Carrow Road even though the competition was not the most formidable that he will face this season.