Town boss Paul Lambert says the Blues are yet to receive any offers for midfielder Andre Dozzell with Premier League clubs, including local rivals Norwich City, eyeing the 20-year-old.

“None whatsoever that I’ve known anyway,” Lambert said when asked if there had been any bids for the academy product, who, as TWTD reported on Tuesday, the Blues value at £5 million. “There’s not been anything that’s come in.”

However, it is understood that there have been enquiries, although Lambert insisted that was news to him.

“I don’t know, I honestly I don’t,” he continued. “Unless somebody tells me what’s going to happen, you can talk all you want and speculate.

“If it’s Premier League clubs then it’s got to be a heck of a lot of money that moves anybody.

“I’ve been in the Premier League, I know the level of money, so for any player it’s going to have to be a helluva lot of money.”

Lambert added: “Money is the nature of the game, the money is vast in the game whether it’s Norwich or somebody else in the Premier League, could be anybody. Money dictates a helluva lot of things in football.”

Does he know whether Norwich are interested? “I haven’t a clue. Unless somebody from Norwich phones me then I haven’t a clue.”

When it was pointed out they probably have his number given his history at Carrow Road, he joked: “They might not now. I don’t think I’m well-liked at that end, so they might not!”

He says Dozzell himself has given no indication that he wants to move: “No, he’s not. Dozzell’s just come back from a massive cruciate. He played a few games for me last season.

“He’s a good footballer, he’s got a long way to go in his career. He’s nowhere near the finished article whatsoever. He’s got to learn, he’s got a lot to learn without the ball, but on the ball he’s very, very good.

“But he’s only a kid who has got to play a significant amount of games before you can class him as an established pro.”

Lambert concurred that it is a big season for the former Copleston High School pupil: “Huge. You’ve got hit the ground now, thats the nature of the game, you have to hit the ground.

“It doesn’t matter how much talent you’ve got, you’ve got to have the hard work to go with it. If you marry the two you’ve got a chance. Let’s see where his career goes.”

We understand the club has instigated talks with Dozzell regarding new terms, however, Lambert says that’s not something he is aware of.

“I don’t know, I really don’t know,” he insisted. “I think he’s got two years left, one and one [as an option]. I don’t know the situation on that, I just know he’s got one and one.

“As I said before, he’s nowhere near the finished article, he’s got a helluva long way to go. There are some really good attributes there but some things he needs to work on as well.

“Football-wise, with the ball he’s really good. Without the ball he has to learn. And he’s got to sustain playing games. He’s got to force his way into the team and then he’s got to sustain playing games.

“I think he’s happy here, he’s played well through pre-season, there’s no problem there but if anybody’s buying him now, they’re buying potential.”

Photo: TWTD

IpswichToon added 15:19 - Jul 25 Dozzell seems down to Earth, especially with his Dad's influence. I just can't see him ever making the switch to Norwich anyway.
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cat added 15:21 - Jul 25 Sounds to me like Lambert has pretty much ‘put to bed' the reason why Dozza has not been a regular due to the fact he don't work hard enough off the ball. Plenty of craft but not enough graft.
5

PortmanTerrorist added 15:23 - Jul 25 Think this is press talk, as they seem to think he only has a year left on his contract if you read the press. Obvs we and Phil know that ME always sticks on a 1 year option so the Scum and the rest of them can go swing and let the lad establish himself in the first team here, where he belongs!
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BlueBlood90 added 15:23 - Jul 25 Dozzell clearly has the potential but he needs game time to learn and develop. Going to an U23 Premier League team isn't going to help him do that so he'd be better off staying where he is for now.
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Len_Brennan added 15:39 - Jul 25 Judge will almost certainly go to QPR - Lambert would not have spoken so freely about him wanting the move & it being about money now otherwise - so it is absolutely vital that we hold on to any players we have who has the guile to open up defences with quality balls in to the strikers. With Bishop out & also now Nydam gone aswell, it gives Dozzell a great opportunity to prove himself in that creative midfield role that we were starting to see before his injury. On form, he is a class above Nolan & can be a great player for us. This time next year (Rodney), he could be worth million more if transferred. If he works hard on his off the ball duties of course.

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Len_Brennan added 15:41 - Jul 25 *millionS
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Northstandveteran added 15:49 - Jul 25 Does it really matter if he leaves? If his surname were Smith, no one on here would really mind about a bit part player attempting to further his career elsewhere.
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Carberry added 15:55 - Jul 25 More BS from PR Paul.
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VILJOEN67 added 16:33 - Jul 25 Paul seems ever so irritated that these deals are not getting done. This has been a feature of a lot of Marcus Evans transfer dealings and we often lose out.
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Kirbmeister added 18:30 - Jul 25 It's would be a brave purchase to spend a few million on him. What's he done up to now apart from score on his debut? A lot to prove as yet IMO.
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