Jose Cordoba and Ruairi McConville can be a dream team for Norwich City in a Championship promotion push.
The centre back duo were the cornerstone of a revival under Philippe Clement that turned the Canaries from relegation candidates to top 10 finishers.
Cordoba underlined his growing status with an eyecatching World Cup campaign for Panama, that included holding his own against the likes of England stars Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
Former Three Lions striker, and five time promotion winner Kevin Phillips, feels the pair are key to City launching an all-out Premier League assault.
“I think those two could potentially be a real, real good partnership for the new season,” he said. “Last season, McConville had 25 appearances and he is very young, still only 21. Cordoba, I was very impressed with him against England. He stood strong for a good while. Again, another youngish player, only 25, who has had 60-odd appearances in this league.
"So I think that, combined, the youthfulness and a bit of Championship experience, they could be a big, tough partnership this coming season. They can help Norwich get promoted to the Premier League, and at the end of next season, both having good seasons, then Premier League clubs will come knocking for sure.”
Pundit Phillips is in no doubt McConville could fetch the type of fee that saw Ben Godfrey leave Norwich for Everton in a £20m plus deal in 2020, if he continues on the same path.
“He needs another season. When you look at Godfrey he had made 68 appearances for Norwich. You need that experience before you jump to the Premier League,” he said. “If Ruairi can have another solid season and perform well with Norwich up there, challenging, the spotlight will be on him.
"Then at the end of next season, if he stays fit, you know, Godfrey went for big-money to Everton and there’s no reason why this lad couldn’t do similar.
“But the new season is a big one for him. If he carries on the same form then certainly there’ll be clubs sniffing around him at that sort of price for sure.”
Phillips is a weekly columnist for the Best Betting Sites where he gives his Championship match predictions.
