Norwich City face Aston Villa on Sunday lunchtime knowing that at least a point will guarantee the Championship title, with second placed Sheffield United only having an outside chance of stealing the prize.

For Canaries manager Daniel Farke it has been an outstanding season, producing a highly competitive squad with limited means, something that is not lost on the 42-year-old who joked in an interview with journalist Michael Bailey: “I’d rather we’d have kept James Maddison. Then we probably would’ve been promoted in March.”

So, is Farke right, would the Canaries have been promoted in March if Maddison had stayed at Carrow Road?

We discuss........

Louie Chandler

"I am not too convinced.

"Yes, Maddison was a top quality player but had he still been here then the likes of Stiepermann or Buendia may have been limited in their chances.

"I am sure they would have still been promoted, but March may be a bit of a stretch."

George Harbey

"It’s a tongue-in-cheek comment, clearly, but he’s probably not far wrong.

"Maddison is an exceptional talent, and he’s gone on to become a real key player for Leicester City in the Premier League this season.

"But despite how good he is, Norwich have replaced him with ease, although I would love to see the former Canaries star play behind Teemu Pukki - what a partnership that would have been."

Benjamin Lang

"It's a bold claim, but hard to disagree with.

"We have seen the impact Maddison has made in the PL this season, so he would have been even more damaging a tier below.

"He would have been a good fit in this Norwich side, but his sale would have made room for some of their other key players. That's why they couldn't have it both ways."