<p>Norwich City begin their third consecutive season in the EFL Championship at Oxford United this weekend.</p>



<p>After a sixth-placed finish and elimination in the playoff semi-finals last campaign, they begin the season with a new manager, Johannes Hoff Thorup, and fresh hopes of returning to the Premier League after facing relegation in 2022.</p>



<p>Josh Sargent is one player who will play a central role in that possible promotion push. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> forward scored 16 Championship goals last season in just 26 appearances, the most of anyone in Canary yellow.</p>



<p>But with title hopefuls Leeds United reportedly <a href="https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-are-working-on-signing-top-striker-expert/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interested</a> in the 24-year-old, he must consider whether Norwich are the club to enable his return to the Premier League. <em>World Soccer Talk </em>spoke to former Norwich defender Felix Passlack to find out. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Norwich promoted? “They can do it”</h2>



<p>In July 2018, Passlack joined The Canaries on a loan move from German giants Borussia Dortmund.</p>



<p>Though he only stayed in Norfolk for one year, playing a minor role in Daniel Farke’s squad as they roared to a Championship title and promotion to the Premier League, Passlack fondly remembers his time at the club.</p>



<p>“Although the season did not go so well for me and I only made few appearances, I got to know very nice people in Norwich, they are very friendly but also respectful.</p>



<p>“I would say what I enjoyed was being part of a great team, Daniel Farke put together a great team and we played well together, I especially valued friends at the club like Grant Hanley.”</p>



<p>Now of Leeds United, Farke returned to haunt Norwich in last season’s playoff semi-finals, presiding over a 4-0 aggregate rout of his former side.</p>



<p>Canaries manager David Wagner was dismissed after the disappointing defeat, paving the way for Thorup to take charge.</p>



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<h2>Changes at Norwich</h2>



<p>It has been a tricky transfer window for the new manager, having to contend with the loss of Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara, who departs for Galatasaray.</p>



<p>There is also the ongoing saga around forward Adam Idah who is linked to Celtic and reported late ahead of a pre-season friendly against Hoffenheim.</p>



<p>Some much-needed positive news comes with the arrival of England Under-21 international <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czdpp7jy6rno" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Callum Doyle</a> on a season-long loan from Premier League champions Manchester City, and Passlack is backing his former club to enjoy a successful season.</p>



<p>“I would like to see Norwich promoted, they can do it,” he said.</p>



<h2>Premier League Past</h2>



<p>Norwich last competed in the Premier League during the 2021-2022 season, Sargent’s first at the club after signing from Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.</p>



<p>Though the club finished bottom of the Premier League, the young forward gained valuable experience and showed flashes of his promise, earning 26 appearances and scoring two league goals.</p>



<p>Sargent may seek new pastures as he eyes a return to that level, but Passlack assures that the bond with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/norwich-city-tv-schedule/">Norwich</a> teammates and fans will not fade.</p>



<p>Now with VfL Bochum, Passlack has enjoyed reuniting with former Norwich teammates on Bundesliga pitches.</p>



<p>Christoph Zimmerman left Norwich in 2022, joining Darmstadt 98 and helping them secure promotion to the Bundesliga for the 2023/24 season.</p>



<p>They met Passlack’s Bochum twice in last year’s Bundesliga before falling to relegation.</p>



<p>“I keep in touch and it’s always good to see ‘Zimbo’ (Christoph Zimmermann) when we play against Darmstadt 98,” said Passlack, who started in the 2-2 draw at the Ruhrstadion.</p>



<p>Check out our handy guide on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-championship-us-tv-internet/">how to watch EFL Championship</a> in USA if you want to keep up with all the exciting matches of this season.</p>



<p><em>Additional reporting by Jonny Coffey</em></p>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / Focus Images</em>.</p>

Bundesliga defender says Norwich will be promoted this season

Former Norwich defender Felix Passlack backs Josh Sargent and Norwich to be promoted from the EFL Championship this season.

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Bundesliga defender says Norwich will be promoted this season