Connor Southwell: City must keep pace with Cordoba

It's not a chant that you hear often at football, so when 'he's just too good for you' is aimed at a player, it is often without merit.

The fact Carrow Road selected that particular melody for Jose Cordoba in their midweek win over Derby County speaks volumes. The Panama international has slipped into a higher gear in recent months and, if the season was months longer, would undoubtedly have entered the conversation for player of the season.

There is now an argument that Cordoba is Norwich City's biggest asset. What is perhaps more frightening is that he is growing exponentially.

Cordoba is now performing at a higher level than he has ever in his career. The underlying numbers show he is a leading Championship defender in ball progression, carries, interceptions, and blocked shots. Over the last few months, amid Norwich's rise, he has pushed his name among the very best in the division for his position.

That process has undoubtedly been aided by working with a head coach who was already keen and aware of him prior to his arrival at Norwich. Philippe Clement did not need a getting‑to‑know‑you period with the 24‑year‑old. He had tracked him closely while in charge at Rangers, which helped Cordoba hit the ground running at Norwich.

Both as part of the wider system and individually, Cordoba has excelled under the City boss. Clement has managed to limit the moments of concentration loss or erratic decision-making that seemed to plague his game prior to his arrival.

Quite simply, Cordoba looks like a tower of strength. Physically, few can beat him into a duel, and his speed enables Norwich to leave him in large spaces and play with a much higher line. Throw in the qualities in possession, and the 24-year-old has all the attributes to play at the highest level.

That has always felt true in terms of his raw tools. But what has changed is that Cordoba is looking like one of the project signings who is beginning to convert potential into an ability to perform regularly in the Championship. There is an argument that in a squad of high ceilings, the Panamanian is the one who has pushed his floor the highest.

Jose Cordoba has converted potential into ability for Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

That individual growth matters even more when you consider his position, something Norwich have plotted since their original pursuit of Cordoba. The clamour for left-sided centre backs is as strong as it's ever been, and developing one successfully is a lucrative enterprise for any club.

City's pursuit and development of Cordoba has always been viewed through a lens that if they could advance his performances, then he would rapidly become a highly sought-after commodity. Left-sided central defenders of top quality are rare.

Throw in a World Cup with the eyes of the globe watching, and if Cordoba can replicate his performances for City on that stage, it is inevitable that suitors will emerge. Several have already scouted him as part of wider projects - with his contract entering its final two years in June, it may be wise for Norwich to accelerate those talks in the weeks and months ahead.

What may swing into City's favour is that Cordoba has timed his run for the closing months of the campaign. As excellent as he has been throughout this turnaround under Clement, any suitors will be aware of the need for consistency over a longer period.

There is also something to be said for the Panama international playing another year at Championship level, hopefully for a side contesting towards the top of the league, to solidify his status as one of the best at the level. Then, at 25, he would either be in a position to play Premier League football with Norwich or to make the next step in his career.

Jose Cordoba has taken rapid steps forward since Philippe Clement's arrival at Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Given central defenders enter the peak of their careers at a later date than other positions, it still feels as though Cordoba has his best years ahead of him. To advance further, there needs to be greater success in aerial duels and improvement in his numbers around some of their defensive fundamentals.

As great central defenders do, Cordoba is now becoming a proactive defender, one who is able to dominate opposing strikers while contributing significantly in possession. Alongside Ruairi McConville, City have a blend of defensive styles that offers real excitement heading into next season.

Cordoba is a front-footed, ball-playing defender while McConville has assumed the role of being the organiser. That relationship has blossomed with purpose over the last block of matches, before the Northern Irishman's injury halted their progress as a duo.

That left-right partnership is key also. It offers Norwich more variation in possession and fluidity in their deep build-up, something Cordoba is particularly comfortable with.

Retaining Cordoba is the first challenge this summer. Finding an understudy with the potential to replace him in the long term may be the second. A prospect who can grow into that role would be a pragmatic addition, especially with Norwich covered on the right with McConville and Harry Darling.

Keeping pace with Cordoba's development is the challenge for City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

With Shane Duffy departing and Jakov Medic struggling to make an impact in the second half of the campaign, that would feel like a strong defensive quartet to move into next season with.

Add consistency to his game, and it will be up to Norwich to keep pace with his rapid development. If this is the platform they build from next season, that chant about Cordoba being ‘too good’ might soon feel less like a compliment and more like a warning.