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Player Profile Youssef Safri
Youssef made just 30 league appearances for Norwich last season as a combination of injury and his African Cup of Nations duty for Morocco ensured that he was unable to become the dominant figure all City fans hoped he would be. A strong and competitive midfielder with a superb range of passing skills, he has the ability to completely dictate his team's pattern of play. He combines the simple with the spectacular and his ability to split a defence was sorely missed when he was absent. His explosive shooting only brought him one goal this season, but the fans love it when he takes aim from 25 or 30 yards. The Club extended his contract by two years and everyone will now be hoping that he can stay clear of injury and truly become the influential figure on a consistent basis that he has often threatened to become. Official 2006-07 Norwich City FC Handbook Morocco international midfielder Youssef Safri joined the Canaries in July 2004 from Coventry City for an initial fee of £500,000. A tough-tackling yet creative midfielder, the 27-year-old signed a two-year deal at Carrow Road. Youssef was a crowd favourite at Highfield Road after joining the Sky Blues from Raja Casablanca in August 2001. He became an integral part of the Moroccan national side during his time with Coventry and played a major part in the African Cup of Nations in 2004. Youssef tends to adopt a shoot on sight policy, something that served him well as he scored his first goal for the Canaries during the Carling Cup success over Bristol Rovers in September 2004. A series of niggling injuries interrupted his Canary career in the first half of the campaign, but he returned to the side for the thrilling end-of-season run. His wonder-goal against Newcastle United will be talked about for years to come at Carrow Road. Official 2005-06 Norwich City FC Handbook |