Worthington played for Sheffield Wednesday and managed Norwich City.
Former York City manager Nigel Worthington
Nigel Worthington claims he has advised Norwich City to sign one of Sheffield Wednesday’s key players “on many occasions”.
Worthington is a popular figure at both clubs, having given 10 years’ service to Wednesday as a player and six years to Norwich as a manager.
And, appearing on Alan Biggs’ Sheffield Live TV show last night [Thursday], the Ulsterman revealed he has kept in contact with the Norfolk side about potential recruits – one of whom is now on the Owls’ books.
“I’ve spoken to people at Norwich City on numerous occasions,” Worthington admitted. “I mentioned Jordan Rhodes on many occasions for them to go and get him. He’s the sort of player that can get you out of the Championship into the Premier League.”
Rhodes, who scored 91 goals in 189 Championship games prior to his January move to Wednesday, has struggled to replicate his previous form at Hillsborough, finding the net three times in 18 appearances.
Funnily enough, two of those strikes came during the Owls’ 5-1 demolition of Norwich at the start of March.
Sheffield Wednesday striker Jordan Rhodes
That was one of 11 wins in which Rhodes played a part, however, and the 27-year-old’s presence does appear to be having a positive impact on his teammates, who have failed to score a single goal without him on the pitch since he signed.
Only the striker’s old club Huddersfield Town stand in Carlos Carvalhal’s side’s way of a second successive play-off final appearance, and Worthington believes the Owls’ attacking armoury could give them the upper hand this year.
Sheffield Wednesday head coach Carlos Carvalhal
He added: “With him [Rhodes], [Steven] Fletcher, [Fernando] Forestieri… what a wonderful array of talent there is there you’ve got all sorts amongst those three. To win things you need to score goals and Sheffield Wednesday have certainly got that within the ranks.”
Would Norwich City be in Sheffield Wednesday’s position had they signed Rhodes instead?
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