What the stats say about Gutierrez compared to Norwich’s other midfield options

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Norwich City have signed Jonas Gutierrez on loan from Newcastle United for the rest of the season, but is he any better than what the Canaries already had?

Jonas Gutierrez is a player Chris Hughton knows well from his time as Newcastle United manager. So after agreeing a loan move to bring the Argentine winger to Norwich for the second half of the season, one would assume he is exactly the type of player the Canaries need; after all, Hughton would know.

After the deal for the 30-year-old had gone through, Norwich City’s manager told the BBC, “Jonas can play on either flank and in a central position, so he’s a very welcome addition.”

And given Gutierrez’s contribution to the Magpies’ 2010 promotion from the Championship, it is no surprise Hughton was pleased with his business.

But that was four years ago, and Hughton has signed a player who has played only two matches this season.

Given his brief time on the pitch, it is hard to determine exactly how much of an improvement or otherwise he will be when compared to the rest of Norwich’s current midfield options. But in the three-and-a-half seasons since that Championship promotion, Gutierrez has scored just seven goals and provided eight assists – in a total of 122 appearances.

Comparing his performances solely this season, he does not fare much better. Although to be fair to him it is difficult to find anything close to your top form when you are rarely played.

But as you can see from the tables below, he is going to need to go some to improve on what Norwich can currently call on.

image: © oliverN5