Norwich City were dealt a cruel blow in the Premier League on Saturday as they missed a host of chances to let Wolverhampton Wanderers come from behind to beat them 2-1. It leaves the Canaries in the relegation zone, beginning to get cut adrift six points from safety. Though one individual, in particular, shone for the Championship champions and that was Emiliano Buendia.
The Argentinian was electric going forward, though he scarcely contributed at the back, failing to make a single contribution defensively. The only time he did get involved in proceedings, he committed a foul, but it was at the other end of the pitch where he excelled.
No Norwich City player made more passes than the playmaker on the right side of an attacking midfield trio. Buendia completed 61 with a success rate of 83.6 per cent, which is particularly impressive considering he did not just choose the easy option and continuously looked to penetrate the Wolves backline. Though his crossing was largely ineffective, with only one of his seven efforts finding a teammate, the Argentine’s long balls and through balls were outstanding. In total three of his five long passes reached their intended target, while all three of his through ball’s found a man in yellow and green.
However, the most impressive statistic of Buendia’s display was making an astonishing nine key passes. Norwich solely relied on the right-sided attacker as their creative influence, with no other player for the Canaries creating a single chance. Unfortunately for Buendia though he failed to add to his five Premier League assists, but only because of poor finishing from his teammates. With each passing week, it is becoming increasingly evident the 22-year-old deserves a place in the Premier League even if Norwich City are relegated at the end of the season.
To highlight just how much of a threat the Argentine was to Wolves, he made a further nine dribbles around opponents, the same amount as the rest of his team combined. Furthermore, he was fouled five times, as Wolves dished out the kind of treatment Adama Traore has received all season. It just goes to show how much of a threat Buendia was, if he continues to shine like on Saturday a side further up the league will surely be enticed to offer Norwich substantial compensation for his services.
