Philippe Clement, head coach of Norwich City, has thrown his full support behind goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic, asserting that the 25-year-old Serbian is on a promising trajectory to become a top-class shot-stopper. Since joining the club this summer, Kovacevic has showcased considerable talent, making a series of impressive saves. However, he faced scrutiny after conceding a late equaliser to Will Keane during the recent 1-1 draw against Preston North End, which raised questions about his positioning. Read more about Clement Targets January Reinforcements as Canaries Prepare.
Clement has addressed these criticisms head-on, emphasising Kovacevic's proactive contributions in alleviating pressure on the Norwich defence throughout the match. "He had also really good moments in this game where he helped the team a lot with coming on high balls in the box against really strong attackers," Clement remarked during a press conference ahead of Norwich's upcoming Boxing Day fixture against Charlton Athletic. “It was important.” Read more about Springett Inspires with Remarkable Comeback for Norwich.
On the subject of Keane's late goal, Clement pointed out that the challenges of goalkeeping are often underestimated by those who have never played the position. "If you've never been a goalkeeper, you have more the idea that it's a saveable, but it's two times that he needs to change direction," he explained. "You need to change balance also and the ball goes down. If the ball is halfway, it's different. So, those things you need to take into account also." Read more about Chrisene Returns to Ease Norwich's Left-Back Woes.
Clement further reinforced the commitment of the coaching staff to support all players, including Kovacevic, in their development. "That's our job to do. Our goalkeeper coach is also busy with that," he stated, highlighting the collective effort to enhance player performance.
The role of a goalkeeper often comes with significant scrutiny, but Clement is confident that Kovacevic possesses the maturity and ambition to handle criticism constructively. "That's the life of a goalkeeper. If you make mistakes, it's more clear," he reflected. "Vlad is an adult and mature enough to cope with that. He's a very ambitious guy who wants to improve in training, who's very hungry to make the story better, and that's the most important thing."
Clement also pointed to Kovacevic’s standout performances, including a vital penalty save against Southampton, as clear indicators of his potential. "I'm sure, with all the help of the staff, he will make a next step in his career here. He has really specific qualities that are really high-level," he emphasised, underscoring the goalkeeper's ability to excel in critical moments.
As Norwich City prepares for their festive match schedule, Kovacevic remains firmly in the spotlight. With Clement's unwavering support, the Serbian goalkeeper appears well-positioned to continue his development into the reliable figure that Norwich requires.