Errol Mundle-Smith's new deal offers City striking hope

The most notable name on that list is Mundle-Smith, with the striker accumulating 16 goals for the season - finishing above Ken Aboh in the goalscoring charts. His form towards the end of the campaign culminated in productive numbers, accumulating nine goal contributions from April onwards. 

Mundle-Smith’s biggest quality is his composure in the final third, finishing an array of chances in an emphatic manner. The teenage forward has demonstrated his ability to tuck away chances with both feet, highlighting his reliability in front of goal. The striker has also managed to score a selection of goals by going around the keeper. 

As mentioned, Mundle-Smith’s form towards the end of the season was sensational.

The striker caused numerous problems for opposition U18s defences, due to the variety of his physical and technical traits. From March onwards, Mundle-Smith married goal contributions with positive performances, boosting his stock dramatically internally. 

The striker’s hold-up play was magnificent across the season, providing a target for his fellow team-mates to play into. As well as being competent at shrugging off central defenders during hold-up play actions, the teenager elevated his physical play to another level, spinning away from his opponents rapidly. His body position to turn away from defenders was highly intelligent, setting up early to receive the ball comfortably.

These characteristics made him the ideal profile of player for the coaching staff, as the impetus was on the strikers to lead counter-attacks. 

Although he is a tall striker, his athleticism is an intrinsic part to his game. Mundle-Smith conducted a high proportion of powerful runs on the right flank, looking to get the ball back onto his left foot. During those dribbling motions, he managed to deceive defenders on a regular basis, with body feints and close protection of the ball, allowing himself to create a shooting angle on his left foot. 

As the season developed, the U18s looked to play much more direct, with goal kicks going long. This showcased Mundle-Smith’s first touch magnificently, as he was controlling the ball with his upper body on a consistent basis, making the difficulty of the touch look simplistic. 

The striker will be heading into next season with plenty of competition. Alex Roberts and Dan Ogwuru will be chasing the responsibility of being the talisman for the U21s next season, meaning Mundle-Smith must remain hungry and patient.

However, with the confidence and numbers that the teenager produced last campaign, he’s in pole position to lead the line next season. Whether the development team will stick to playing two strikers or switch to a one-striker formation remains to be seen. 

Mundle-Smith has an exciting profile, which is likely one of the factors why Norwich signed him originally. He’s currently displaying potential as a complete forward who is heavily efficient in a wide range of build-up play scenarios and finishes his chances immaculately.

Ken Aboh is another highly rated Norwich City youngster. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

The challenge for Mundle-Smith this season is to improve his consistency of performance at U21s level, as his numbers for the development squad have been healthy. 

Elsewhere, young midfielder Bracking is another individual that was rewarded with a professional contract, after a highly impressive 23/24 campaign, with the U18s.

Although the youngster had a slow season in front of goal, he was at the heart of everything positive for the U18s side. The box-to-box midfielder has a wonderful chance of being integrated into the U21s squad next season, despite theoretically heading into the next campaign as a second year scholar. 

Bracking has wonderful physical characteristics, which make him an effective resource in and out of possession. The teenager is exquisite at exploiting territory in the middle and attacking third, due to his fantastic burst of speed and superb balance.

He regularly drives forward from deep areas - highlighting his sublime stamina levels. Bracking has also constructed marauding runs through congested zones of the pitch, demonstrating his nimbleness and confidence to beat opposition players. With the U18s being a threat from set pieces, having a player of Bracking’s profile, to win an abundance of fouls is highly productive. 

Although there’s still a huge amount for Bracking to learn, his foundations are incredibly strong, which makes him an exciting prospect. He is certainly a player to watch. 

Brooke signed his third professional contract with the club after his original deal expired. The 20-year-old had a promising season, and his stock slightly increased. 

Harry was much more proactive in possession compared to previous campaigns - playing frequent low-drilled passes into the strikers. His defensive discipline was encouraging too, backing up the press at the correct times. 

Errol Mundle-Smith enjoyed a productive campaign for Norwich City's young sides. (Image: Jordan Blyth/Reverb Digital Limited)

The expectation and the requirement must be for Brooke to head out on loan, as he’s been a reliable asset in the U21s team for many years. Playing a fourth season of U21s football is counterproductive - especially when he’s got the potential and quality to be an effective resource for an EFL team. 

Doy also signed a new deal at the club after his two-year scholarship contract expired. Although injuries have been prominent throughout the season for the teenager, he’s shown promising glimpses of being an exciting prospect.

The defender is a vocal character on the pitch that leads from the front with high aggression levels, as well as setting the tone in possession, by attempting to play through the thirds.