Emmanuel Adegboyega interview on Walsall loan and Norwich City future

City beat a host of clubs to the defender's signature last summer, and he has already graduated from their under-21s set-up to join play-off chasing League Two outfit Walsall on loan in January. 

His name is one that has been grabbing the attention of Canaries supporters in recent weeks and been creating intrigue due to an unlikely flurry of goals scored and rave reviews from Walsall fans. 

The rapid ascent through City's under-21s side and out into the big wide world of the EFL serves as recognition of how highly he is rated inside the walls of Colney. They only sanction loans for players who have outgrown academy football. 

Considering he was operating within senior football prior to his move to Norfolk, it has been a welcome step back to the future for the youngster. 

As he reflects two months down the line, Adegboyega views the opportunity afforded to him as proof of Norwich's admiration of him. That shows the work they have done to alter the perception of players leaving on loan in recent years. 

"It was actually a very good move for myself in terms of the club telling me that it would be in my best interests if I go out on loan to get experience in the EFL," he told the Pink Un.

"Ever since I've left, it's been enjoyable. Whether I've been playing or not, it's been a nice experience, and it's been nice to be around a first-team environment again.

"It shows they have plans for me in the future in terms of 'go out on loan, and when you come back, hopefully you'll be ready for the first team'. But even the fact that they wanted me to go out on loan shows they are very interested in me and what I could do for the first team in the future.

"It's better for me that I've surpassed the under-21s level and am playing in the EFL."

Adegboyega conducted this remote interview via Zoom call from his Midlands base - it represents what has been a hectic 10 months for the youngster. 

From barely leaving Ireland prior to his Norwich transfer, he has now had to contend with two periods of adaption in different geographical locations. Part of his development will be to constantly ensure he is tested on and off the pitch. 

Prior to joining Norwich, Adegboyega was a regular for Drogheda United in the League of Ireland. He made 24 appearances for them in senior football last term, catching the eye with the quality of his performances. 

Now, in League Two in England, the challenge he faces is very different - especially the profile of the opponent he is tussling with every weekend.  

"A lot of people have asked me the question about where the parameters are with the League of Ireland compared to League Two.

"I don't think there is much of a difference, to be honest. Both are physical leagues with lots of good players, but the main difference is the style of play. Some teams play out from the back, others don't and are more long ball.

"I'm playing against strikers who consider the EFL as their bread and butter. Last week, I played against John Akinde, a Colchester striker, and he has played in the EFL all the way through. He is a very physical guy and that is the type of challenge you get in the EFL."

Emmanuel Adegboyega has made a bright start to life on loan at League Two side Walsall. (Image: Walsall FC)

Walsall were among the clubs who attempted to sign Adegboyega last summer and share owners with his former club Drogheda. 

Norwich's interest and inroads to sign him halted their pursuit, but the extensive level of research, coupled with Mat Sadler's admiration for him, paid off in the end with Adegboyega electing to move to the Bescot Stadium in January. 

Those previous conversations made all the difference ahead of other potential EFL loan destinations. 

"It was the gaffer, to be honest with you. He likes Irish players and has a thing for them—once I heard that and the ideas that he had for the squad, it was a no-brainer," the City loan export said. 

"Norwich were happy with the move, I was happy with the move and the connection they have with Drogheda helped. They did their research in the summer, but I ended up going to Norwich. The fact they were still willing to take me on loan was a big factor.

"You want to go where you are valued, and they've been watching me since last year. They rate me highly, and I'd rather go there rather than a team that has done research for two weeks. It was easy to say yes."

So far, the move has gone according to plan. Adegboyega played a key role in a run of victories last month that elevated them to the top six. 

With a game in hand over Wimbledon, who lead them by three points, there is a real belief that they can work their way into the play-offs come the end of the season. 

As much as loan spells are about competitiveness and honing a young player's craft, it is also about challenging moments off the pitch. Adegboyega had to be patient to earn his chance in the Walsall side - that experience was something that hindsight has made him grateful for. 

"Once I started playing, it was everything that I asked for. The period when I wasn't playing, I didn't really expect it, and it came as a shock.

"Coming out on loan, you expect to be playing every game from minute one, but that is literally not the case. You have to fight for your jersey, and someone is ahead of you," Adegboyega said. 

"You have to try and take it away from them whilst not letting anyone have your jersey. It's a very competitive place to be but that said. I needed that experience because I'd never had it before.

"It comes with the whole footballing journey. Of course, it's about playing and learning your craft, but it's about outside as well and how much you can develop as a person."

Adegboyega was a late convert to a defensive position, having spent years during his teenage developmental stages operating as a midfielder.

He believes his grounding in that area of the pitch makes him a different type of defender to others who have played the position for the entirety of their upbringing. 

As a youngster, he operated as a striker before spending large periods of his teenage years as a midfielder. It is only within the last few seasons that he has worked his way back into defence. 

Adegboyega has become a key part of Mat Sadler's plans at the Bescot Stadium. (Image: Walsall FC)

What that education has provided him is a different outlook in possession that makes him perfectly suited to fulfil the demands of a modern central defender, where there is a greater emphasis on ball retention and dealing with high presses. 

That is something that scouts and coaches have identified as a major strength within his game since moving to England. 

"It helped a lot. I'm not really a traditional centre-back. When you compare me with others in my position, it's very different because of my midfield background," he said. 

"It helps me see passes that only midfielders can see. For me to be able to create those passes from the back line and unlock certain spaces, that's where it takes my game to another level.

"I want to continue to develop that side of my game so I can continue to strive on. I still have the knowledge of midfield and seeing it from deeper on the field allows me to help my teammates out." 

Reflecting on last summer, which saw him swap the east coast of Ireland for Norfolk, Adegboyega said: "It was the pedigree of Norwich and what they stand for. Norwich are a former Premier League team and I used to watch them when I was younger playing against Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City.

"Once you get a team like Norwich come in for you, it's very difficult to turn them down. When they came in, I pushed them to the very top of the list.

"(The Irish history) aided in my decision as well because I saw that there is a pathway for Irish players. These players (Omobamidele and Idah) have gone on to do very well in their careers and go on to play for the Irish national team, which is a path I want to take myself. They led the way so players like me could follow.

"The plan was to come into the club, settle in, play with the 21s and see how I went from there. Towards the end of the year, after training with the first-team a couple of times, to send me on loan because it would be best for me and the team as well.

"I had the likes of Shane Duffy, guys with bags of experience, and Ben Gibson as well; when I see what these guys are doing in training, I can pick up small things for their game and apply them to mine.

Emmanuel Adegboyega joined Norwich City from Irish side Drogheda United last summer. (Image: Newsquest Library)

"Seeing the calibre of the squad, I was in awe at the start of the year because I'd come from Drogheda to this. You try to get used to it, to match their tempo and get comfortable around them.

"In one of the first training sessions that I was there, Adam (Idah) asked me about Ireland and myself. That immediately made me feel much more comfortable."

Adegboyega's challenge is to maintain the high performance level that he has showcased since he loan move to the Bescot Stadium. 

With Norwich likely to have two central defensive vacancies available in their first-team come the summer, should Gibson and Danny Batth leave at the end of their current deals, then it will likely be between Adegboyega, Brad Hills and Jon Tomkinson to fight for a spot. 

But not before trying to get Walsall into the top six. With eight games left, they sit one point behind Wimbledon in seventh, but do possess a game in hand. Adegboyega is desperate to continue his progress before considering what comes next at Carrow Road.