Scotland star Billy Gilmour is at one thing of an early profession crossroads as a deflating season at Norwich involves an in depth.
From the person who signed him being sacked to inflammatory chants telling him to return to mum or dad membership Chelsea, there have been pink flags aplenty all through a marketing campaign that's set to come back to a miserable finish.
The Canaries' relegation was confirmed on the weekend and Gilmour was on the receiving finish of extra criticism because the yo-yo aspect of East Anglia make their method again right down to the Championship as soon as extra.
Former Celtic man Tony Cascarino instructed talkSPORT: "The lad Gilmour that got here to Norwich, didn’t do significantly effectively on the membership, and the followers turned on him in the beginning of the season.
"He’s a terrific younger footballer however, one way or the other, he’s not grown.
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"We speak on a regular basis about younger lads going elsewhere and bettering – the lad (Brandon) Williams as effectively from Man United – however they’ve gone backwards this 12 months.
"Two gamers have gone there from large golf equipment and have gone backwards at Norwich."
So how can Gilmour transfer forwards? File Sport weighs up the choices.
Combat for his place
Gilmour will head again to Chelsea this summer time and should have been inspired by the re-emergence of academy product Ruben Loftus-Cheek, in addition to possibilities afforded to the likes of Trevoh Chalobah.
Saul Niguez additionally seems more likely to head again to Atletico Madrid after a disappointing mortgage spell, although boss Thomas Tuchel has not dominated out the prospect of him staying.
Besides, it is a crowded subject. Gilmour would additionally must displace the metronomic Jorginho, assuming he does not go away the membership as has been rumoured, in addition to N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley.
All that plus any new additions Tuchel decides to deliver on board within the switch window, although this summer time could also be about fixing up a defence that may positively see Antonio Rudiger and certain Andreas Christensen depart. Cesar Azpilicueta's future can be up within the air.
It isn't an unimaginable job for Gilmour and in a summer time that may see numerous upheaval with large identify exits in addition to membership possession altering palms the supervisor could also be grateful he can rely on the Scot.
Re-roll the cube
Let's be frank, transferring to Norwich was a poor choice.
Tuchel felt studying underneath fellow German Daniel Farke was the perfect place for his midfielder however simply months within the boss had been axed.
Dean Smith arrived and he fared no higher in attempting to rescue the Canaries and issues turned poisonous with that disgraceful clip that noticed followers chanting "f*** off again to Chelsea".
However simply because it did not work out doesn't suggest he ought to be discouraged from one other mortgage transfer throughout the Premier League.
A transfer to forward-thinking Brentford or Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace would permit him to develop in a younger staff that performs with freedom – whereas protecting him in London.
Or what about Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard? The membership are actively in search of new signings in midfield with Morgan Sanson to be jettisoned.
Linking up with Scotland pal John McGinn – who sang Gilmour's praises to his previous boss Smith when he arrived at Carrow Highway – might ignite a partnership we have already seen flourish in darkish blue on the membership degree.
Discover solace overseas
If Gilmour fancies refreshing his palate with the style of a brand new footballing tradition he will not must ask round for lengthy earlier than he hears glowing references for Italy's Serie A.
Present Scotland team-mate Aaron Hickey is now one of many league's finest younger skills after choosing Bologna in the summertime of 2020.
That transfer was an impressed choice and Champions League sure Napoli, who had season however fell simply brief in operating the Milan golf equipment shut for the Scudetto, are eager on taking him for £18million.
That is not all. Gilmour may also have seen the likes of Stamford Bridge youth merchandise Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori lighting it up at two well-known names in world soccer.
Underneath Jose Mourinho at Roma, Abraham has racked up a cool 24 targets in his first season, together with 15 within the league.
Tomori in the meantime is closing in on the title after leaving the mortgage life behind and organising at AC Milan.
Would they inform him to take the soar if such a possibility arose? You'd think about so.
Ibrox?
A return to Rangers on mortgage after leaving aged 15 for £500k would little question delight followers and each time Gilmour's future is introduced up that is the query raised.
The Europa League run this time period would little question assist promote the membership to his supervisor and others accountable for his improvement.
However this ship might have sailed. Whereas a wonderful participant the burgeoning partnership of John Lundstram and Ryan Jack is one thing Gio van Bronckhorst might not wish to disrupt.
We would not agree however these in cost at prime Premier League golf equipment see the Scottish Premiership as substandard on the entire even when Gers are set to play a 14th Europa League recreation for the reason that group stage on Thursday night time.
Aaron Ramsey's arrival in January proved stranger issues have occurred however Gilmour changing him subsequent time period appears unlikely for now.