Norwich City signed free-agent striker Teemu Pukki from the Danish side Brondby in June 2018. The Finnish international has struck 63 goals in 120 appearances for the Canaries.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Teemu Pukki of Norwich City lifts the championship trophy in celebration after the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Norwich City at Villa Park on May 05, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Norwich look set for a Premier League return, only a year after they dropped out of the top-flight. However, many Championship defences will be glad that they do not have to face Teemu Pukki again next season.
Pukki’s instinctive and explosive finishing ability being on show club and country throughout the season. Along with his relationship with Emi Buendia, which has been a major factor behind Daniel Farke’s sides success.
Pukki Party in the Championship
The former Celtic player helped fire Norwich to the Championship title in 2018/19 after he scored 29 league goals. His individual contribution was recognised when the Finn won the Golden Boot.
Teemu Pukki adapted to Premier League life quickly and scored five goals in August, including a hat-trick against Newcastle. His personal performances won the Norwich frontman Premier League player of the month. Despite scoring 11 Premier League goals, he failed to score after the resumption of football behind closed doors.
Furthermore, after only registering two goals in his first eight Championship appearances this campaign, his confidence looked low. This naturally led fans and pundits to begin questioning the Finn, especially with new competition from summer signing Jordan Hugill. However, he has continued to silence his doubters, scoring 22 goals in 35 appearances so far this term.
A statistic that means since his arrival in Norfolk, Pukki has the most Championship goals of any player, despite spending a season out of the second-tier.
Arguably, the former Sevilla and Schalke forward should in the Championship Team of the Season alongside Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Euro 2020 Dream
After helping Finland secure a place in Euro 2020, Pukki spoke of his disappointment with its cancellation due to Covid-19. However, he finally gets his chance to lead the line this June when Finland face Denmark in their opening Group B fixture. Finland will also face Belgium and Russia.
Pukki has scored five goals in his last five matches for his country. These goals have helped the man labelled the ‘GOAT’ to move within three goals of Jari Litmanen’s all-time Finnish goal scoring record.
Therefore, it looks set to be an exciting few months for the 31-year-old. Firstly, a chance to play in the Euro’s and try to become Finland’s all-time top scorer. Before he inevitably has another chance to prove his quality in the Premier League, as Norwich aim to stabilise in the top-flight.
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