--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-26T08:00:07.076Z last_updated: 2026-07-19T16:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/norwich-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWRwMjQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvMjYyOTAxNTEuYW5hbHlzaXMtYW5kcmUtYnJvb2tzLWNpdHktb3BlbmVyLXN0LWdhbGxlbi8_cmVmPXJzcw --- # Inside Brooks - **Source:** - **Published:** 19 Jul - **Club:** Norwich City - **Original URL:** https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/26290151.analysis-andre-brooks-city-opener-st-gallen/?ref=rss Pace, quick feet and plenty of endeavour - there was a lot to like in Andre Brooks' first Norwich City outing in Switzerland on Friday night. There has been a period of patience following his surprise £8million arrival from Championship rivals Sheffield United, as the winger steps up his return from a late-season injury. But there was a sense of unleashing him in the Canaries' 3-0 win over St Gallen. Of course, it was an appearance laden with caveats and mitigation. This was only a 45-minute outing for the Jamaica international, who received his first senior call-up earlier this year as part of a wider programme to get him fully up to speed. But contained within it were flashes of the quality that have convinced Norwich to commit a sizeable fee to bring him to Norfolk as part of Philippe Clement's plans. Brooks formed part of an attacking quartet that inflicted serious damage on a St Gallen side playing for the final time before their competitive action begins with a Europa League qualifier against Benfica next weekend. Yet the gap in freshness didn't seem as wide as the varying stages of preparation suggested. With Brooks on the right, Oscar Schwartau on the left and Paris Maghoma operating centrally behind striker Mathias Kvistgaarden, the Canaries attacked at will, consistently creating chances that made their three-goal lead at the break feel modest. Within that were attacking rotations and combinations that provided a level of variation not seen in their attacking play so far in pre-season. Brooks would often drift inside or higher up the pitch, with Maghoma then taking his place. It is still in the early stages, and there is building to be done, but it's impressive to achieve that level of fluidity in attack at such an early stage of pre-season. If that can be replicated and enhanced when the Championship season begins, that is going to make City's attack very difficult to halt. Andre Brooks offered a new dimension to Norwich City's attack. (Image: Philipp Kresnik) Brooks' addition has given City a different attacking tool in a group of players that leaves Clement armed with several options. What makes Brooks’ profile particularly interesting is how it contrasts with Norwich’s existing wide options. Where others are more inclined to come short and combine, Brooks looks to penetrate space and engage defenders directly, either by driving inside or attacking the outside channel. That contrast gives Clement the ability to vary his attacking approach within games, rather than relying on one type of winger behaviour across both flanks. Norwich's task is not just about building that fluidity in their attacking moments, but also embedding a supply line that enables Brooks' best qualities to emerge consistently on the Championship stage. On at least two occasions, Harry Darling picked out Brooks' deep runs with accurate raking passes over the head of St Gallen's left-back, Chima Okoroji, each time finding City's new winger in stride. He also caused problems one-versus-one, like when he stood up the German, pushed the ball out wide before firing a low cross across the penalty box, which Kvistgaarden just couldn't latch onto. Andre Brooks joined Norwich City in an £8m move from Sheffield United. (Image: Philipp Kresnik) In a Championship context, where transitions and territory often dictate games, that willingness to go long and early could become a valuable outlet, particularly against sides that look to press high or compress space centrally. There is a blend within Brooks between an old-school winger who wants to drive at defenders and a more modern, inverting profile. The common thread is clear: he wants to arrive in the final third, with or without the ball, and make things happen. It wasn't just powerful running; there were some nice touches and passes accompanied by endeavour and willingness to support Kellen Fisher in defensive scenarios. That grounding in a structured Sheffield United system under Chris Wilder should stand him in good stead defensively. Brooks was up for the physical contest. On a few occasions in upper-body tussles, it was the City winger who emerged with the ball. There are, of course, elements that will need to develop as his minutes increase. The consistency of his end product, his decision-making in crowded attacking situations, and his ability to adapt to situations and impact games against more organised opposition will be the next steps. Andre Brooks is now hoping to form a strong relationship with defender Kellen Fisher. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) For now, this was an encouraging first look at a player who appears well aligned with the direction of Clement’s attack. As his fitness sharpens and the level of opposition rises, the question will shift from what Brooks can offer in flashes to how regularly he can impose himself on games. If Friday night was an early indication, Norwich may have added a dimension they lacked at times last season, particularly in terms of running power and threat in behind.