Will Grant: Lucien Mahovo making a bright impression at City

Although his introduction was due to a supreme volume of first-team injuries, his inclusion was justified, as his consistency at development level has been fantastic.

The sentiment around his consistency has been shared by the coaching staff, as the youngster played 10 consecutive games for the U21s team between late August and late October - playing every minute across those 10 matches.

Due to the teenager playing an intense volume of football since the start of the season, he’s currently ranked fourth for most minutes played for the U21s side across all competitions - despite missing the last two games. 

Norwich recruited Mahovo from League Two side Notts County during the summer transfer window to perform the hybrid left-back/centre-back role - essentially similar to Callum Doyle’s role in the first team.

However, with Norwich having an excess of central defensive options across the development side, it resulted in one of those centre-backs playing on the right side of defence. Therefore, this has caused Mahovo to play as a more traditional modern-day full-back, occupying high and wide positions regularly, with the makeshift right-backs inverting during settled possession phases. 

This wasn’t the initial plan integrated during pre-season as Mahovo was playing in the backline, with two other central defenders during settled play, with the right-back advancing upfield. 

Despite Mahovo’s role varying from game to game, his technical qualities in possession have assisted the team greatly.

Lucien Mahovo has been included in Norwich City's last three Championship squads. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) The defender has been thoroughly efficient at playing through the lines, finding teammates in cute pockets of space, and helping progress the ball from defence to attack. The teenager is confident at playing infield passes from deep areas and finding the midfield pivots regularly, which is vitally important in Thorup's system. 

Due to the defender commonly getting the ball in the defensive third, his precision play becomes vitally important, especially as the team play expansively from build-up, meaning avoiding cheap turnovers is of paramount importance.

Mahovo has magnificent press resistance, and his composure to keep the ball ticking in pressuring areas is particularly impressive. 

With Mahovo comfortable in possession under significant pressure, he’s confident combining with his teammates effectively, especially when drifting into advanced areas.

A common passing pattern that’s emerged at U21s level is Mahovo playing slick interchanges with the left-sided midfielder, wanting the ball returned to him after he makes an overlapping run on the left. 

Despite Mahovo failing to have the numbers that represent his performance levels across the season, the teenager is an effective resource in attacking areas, as his technical qualities increase the threat of the U21s side in the final third.

The defender is terrific at executing in-swinging deliveries from the left, getting the ball into enticing areas into the penalty box. This was reflected against Manchester United U21s at Carrow Road, as Mahovo whipped in a fantastic in-swinging delivery from the left side, with striker Dan Ogwuru converting home confidently. 

Mahovo has enjoyed a positive start to the campaign since joining Norwich. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) Mahovo’s quality of delivery was soon recognised by the coaching staff, as he was regularly selected to take set-pieces, executing continuous in-swinging deliveries for his aerially dominant teammates to attack.

Not only is Mahovo fantastic at executing in-swinging deliveries from a wide left position, but his playmaking abilities have been showcased from the defensive line - opening up opposition structures from a long underlapping pass.

Because Mahovo is an astute player from a scanning perspective, he can apply his sublime technical quality to find a complex pass, adding another dimension to the U21s team's possession. 

For the second consecutive season running, Norwich’s best passer is being utilised in the left-back position.

This was similar to Gabe Forsyth last season, as the Scotsman spent a proportion of the season operating in the left-back role. Similar to Mahovo, Forsyth was an incredible crossing outlet for the development side, with his left foot being a key protagonist for many goals being scored. 

After displaying fantastic technical traits in the left-back position, Mahovo had the opportunity to impress in the defensive midfield position - partnering alongside Uriah Djedje.

This was a positional move instigated by the first-team coaching staff, demonstrating their positive impression of Mahovo. The versatile defender had an impact on Norwich’s only goal during the game against Bristol City's youngsters—firing a drilled defence-splitting pass into the feet of Elliot Myles, subsequently allowing Mundle-Smith to convert home. 

Whether Mahovo is viewed as a potential first-team midfield option in the future remains to be seen, but his high standard of performance at U21s level has given him an opportunity to impress in first-team training.

Johannes Hoff Thorup has placed trust in young talent. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) Under this new regime led by Thorup, impressing in a training environment is a necessity, as it gives the Dane an indication of where each individual is at from a quality perspective. 

Composed is the identifiable word that correlates to Mahovo’s game, as his defensive temperament and attacking quality offer encouragement for the future.

The challenge for him is to continue this positive start to the season, training at a high level while displaying astute decision-making during matches. He's got the ability to have a successful career - be it at Norwich or elsewhere.