Norwich City are at a pivotal moment this season, with 20-year-old attacking midfielder Jacob Wright emerging as a potential catalyst for the club’s resurgence. After being largely overlooked under former manager Liam Manning, Wright made a significant impact in his first start during Tuesday's 1-1 Championship draw against Sheffield United.
Philippe Clement, who has taken charge and is actively reshaping the squad, has been experimenting with various players in key support roles behind leading striker Josh Sargent. However, Wright stood out during his debut, impressing Clement with his tactical awareness and ability to exploit space on the pitch.
"I’m very positive about Jacob from the start," Clement remarked. "It’s a young player, but with a lot of game intelligence, understanding where to find space. He is also very, very focused in all the meetings that we do about our game and how we want to play. So he’s showing really good stuff for the team."
Amid a challenging period characterised by injuries and squad rotation, Clement has had to make adjustments, frequently deploying players in unfamiliar positions. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about the team's unity, stating, "After three weeks together, you can see everybody knows the basics of their job as a team, in terms of organisation, but also on the ball."
The midweek encounter against Sheffield United also interrupted Chris Wilder’s side’s four-game winning streak, showcasing Norwich’s resilience and newfound self-belief. "We talked about belief a few times, that the belief is there, it’s clear for everybody," Clement said. "The team is working really hard, giving their all in every game, until now, together, and that’s for me, also one of the basics. The ones who are not doing that will not have a chance in the future." Read more about Mee Faces Race Against Time for Norwich Clash.
Clement expressed satisfaction with the team’s recent performances, noting their gradual improvement. "I see a team growing, getting better and better with the ball, also creating more chances than it was before, also against a good opponent, not giving away too many chances. Two away games in a row that we’re alone in front of a goalkeeper."
He also acknowledged that had Norwich capitalised on their scoring opportunities, the narrative of recent weeks could have been vastly different. "That’s the best chance you can have in football, and if we could have scored, these weeks could have been totally different than they are now. But I’m really proud of what the team showed." Read more about Norwich City Await FA Cup Draw as Excitement Builds.
Clement’s focus remains on establishing stability within the squad, even in light of ongoing injury concerns. "I want to keep stability and grow out of foundations without changing so much, but those are the circumstances," he explained. "I try to find solutions, and the team gave more solutions at Sheffield, so they’re fighting now for their place in the squad. That’s a good thing." Read more about Kvistgaarden Faces Surgery Risk as Injury Woes Mount.
As Norwich City look to leverage their recent form, the emergence of Jacob Wright could be pivotal in their pursuit of success this season. The young midfielder's contributions may well be a key factor in the club's efforts to build momentum and secure vital points in the Championship.