Before I analyse Lucien Mahovo?s magnificent start to the season, I apologise for the lack of academy articles over the recent weeks. This was due to being on holiday and having other commitments at awkward times. My commitment to delivering weekly articles is stronger than ever, as the academy continues to blossom. 

Mahovo is a player who has epitomised this growth within the past month. The summer signing from Notts County has contributed with several positive performances – providing a technical foundation in the heart of the backline. Despite accumulating just one assist during the opening phases of the campaign, his quality has lifted the standard throughout the side. 

The left-sided defender has played every minute of the competitive season so far, aside from the opening game against West Brom when Guilherme Montoia started. Considering the coaching staff tends to switch the team up most weeks, it?s a testament to Lucien’s performance levels that he?s been involved in every minute of each game since. 
Lucien Mahovo has been a mainstay in the U21s team this season. Credit: Gorleston FC

Mahovo?s reliability is borne of his consistent positional discipline. He has inverted into central defensive areas smartly, providing proactive angles to make penetrating passes into midfield. In addition, he has also played as a wide full-back due to Norwich inverting a defender (Jon Tomkinson) on the right flank. Whether that was the initial plan before ...