USMNT star Josh Sargent earns ‘best player’ billing in Premier League promotion push after stellar goal-scoring form for Norwich

The United States international sat out 20 games early in the 2023-24 campaign after picking up an unfortunate ankle injury. He has returned with a bang, registering four goals through seven appearances – taking him to seven efforts in total for the season.

Barnes has said of Sargent and accepting goal-scoring responsibility: “Make no mistake about it, he is our best player without a shadow of a doubt. He is the one that drives us and scores goals. I want to score goals, but as long as he’s scoring and I’m contributing to the play, then so be it. People will look at me and my goals, and it’s not good enough. I know that. I want to get better but I don’t care who scores if we win.”

Sargent has helped to keep Norwich in the Championship playoff mix, with the American’s teammate’s quick to hail his impact. Ashley Barnes is a proven Premier League performer, but he is happy to take a back seat behind his in-form colleague at Carrow Road.

Norwich sit ninth in the Championship table, with the race on to secure a play-off spot. The top four are beginning to pull away, but there are just eight points separating West Brom in fifth from Bristol City in 13th and the Canaries are very much part of the promotion-chasing pack.