Norwich City are grappling with a significant setback as manager Philippe Clement has confirmed that midfielder Pelle Mattsson will be sidelined for an extended period due to an ankle injury sustained during Monday's 2-1 triumph over Coventry City. Mattsson's absence is a considerable blow for the Canaries, who are eager to sustain their momentum in the Championship.
In a press briefing on Friday, Clement disclosed that Mattsson is expected to be out for several weeks, prompting the club to reassess their midfield options. Jacob Wright stepped in during the second half against Coventry, partnering with Kenny McLean. However, with Mirko Topic already ruled out for the season due to knee ligament damage, the urgency for reinforcements is increasing as the transfer window approaches its deadline.
Clement acknowledged the pressing need for a potential signing, stating, “We’re talking about that (the possibility of a signing) in the building, yes. We need to first assess who’s all available in the squad and that we are sure about all the positions.” He also highlighted Liam Gibbs' impressive training performances, suggesting that the club might need to revise their plans, especially since Gibbs had been anticipated to go out on loan.
The manager expressed confidence in Wright's abilities, remarking, “Jacob did a really good job in the second half against Coventry. I'm very convinced about the qualities of Jacob now and for the future. He’s still young. He can still learn a lot. He can progress a lot.”
Reflecting on the implications of Mattsson’s injury, Clement remarked, “It's worse than we expected. It’s not that he needs surgery, but he will be out for a while. A big blow. Yes, but I never want to feel that, because I'm somebody who likes to look for solutions. I know the worst thing in life is to be negative about it. It’s part of football. It’s a pity for Pelle. It’s a pity for the team, because he was doing really well.”
Clement's resilience shines through as he emphasises the need to seize the opportunities presented by adversity. “It gives opportunities for other players to express themselves and we need to look at it that way. I had so many moments in my career that suddenly an important player was away,” he noted.
He recounted an important moment from his tenure at Genk, recalling the sale of captain Alejandro Pozuelo just before the play-offs. “Everybody said, Genk is dead now, because he was the captain and the best player. And we kicked on in the play-offs, and somebody else came in the team, not the same profile, not the same type, but did a good job for the team, and we kept on winning.”
Clement's perspective is clear: he is committed to harnessing the collective strength of his squad to navigate this challenging period. “I like to remember those things, because it’s important not to be negative, because it doesn’t help anything.”
As Norwich City seek to maintain their Championship aspirations, attention now turns to how the team adapts in Mattsson’s absence. The forthcoming days are likely to be pivotal for the Canaries, both in terms of tactical adaptations and potential new signings to strengthen their squad.