Philippe Clement has shed light on the impressive transformation of Pelle Mattsson since taking the helm at Norwich City. The Danish midfielder, who previously struggled to make an impact, is now emerging as a key figure in the midfield, showcasing the potential that Clement believes he possesses.
Before Clement's arrival, Mattsson's performances were underwhelming, notably failing to register a single tackle across three matches. However, his fortunes have shifted dramatically under Clement's guidance, with the midfielder winning 12 tackles in just four appearances. This impressive statistic underscores the revitalisation of his game and his increasing influence on the pitch. Read more about Clement Backs Wright as Norwich Target Continued Progress.
Clement attributes this turnaround to a direct challenge he presented to Mattsson, urging him to harness the attributes that made him a standout player at his former club, Silkeborg. "He showed a big heart the last couple of weeks when we are together and a lot of positivity," Clement remarked. “I spoke with him about what I saw in the past in his old team, but what I didn't see yet here. He responded really well on the pitch and is showing also the qualities why the club recruited him.”
The manager noted that while Mattsson had previously displayed energy and tenacity, he needed to demonstrate his ball-playing capabilities more consistently. "Because he was showing before a player with a lot of energy, running around a lot, going into duels, but he didn't show enough for me the qualities with the ball that he has. So, it will only get better with playing more and more games," Clement explained.
Clement's recognition of potential extends beyond Mattsson, as he also highlighted the development of other young players within the squad, such as Oscar Schwartau and Kellen Fisher. "We have a lot of young potential players, and they need to raise their level, they need to grow, they need to become better," he stated. "But I see several of those growing and becoming better."
In a recent match against Sheffield United, Mattsson's leadership abilities were put to the test when he was appointed captain following Kenny McLean's injury. This moment was significant for Mattsson, who described it as a "proud" occasion on his social media channels.
Clement acknowledged the complexities involved in selecting a captain from a squad that had not previously featured a designated leader on the pitch. "It was not an easy decision, because nobody's been captain before of the squad who was on the pitch. But he took the role like it was normal for him," he noted. "Can he stay the captain? Let's be clear, Kenny is still our captain."
Looking ahead, Clement emphasised the importance of focusing on upcoming fixtures and seizing every opportunity on the pitch. He pointed out the unpredictable nature of football, stating, "You can only take a lot out of games, and that's three points, if you do things well. Or you can have one lucky day when you play really bad and you get three points. But in the long term, that never works."
With a squad eager to progress and a manager instilling confidence, Norwich City appears to be on a promising trajectory towards success. As Clement asserted, “I'm sure we're going to succeed, because you see everybody's involved in wanting to get better in the way we want to play football, and it creates chances.”