Philippe Clement is diligently refining his January transfer wishlist as Norwich City intensifies efforts to strengthen the squad ahead of a crucial second half of the Championship season. With survival firmly in focus, the Belgian head coach is keen to secure reinforcements that will bolster the Canaries’ chances of remaining in the division. Read more about Springett Inspires with Remarkable Comeback for Norwich.
Clement, alongside his recruitment team—which includes sporting director Ben Knapper and head of recruitment Lee Dunn—has prioritised the acquisition of a wide player in the upcoming transfer window. This need has become increasingly pressing following Mirko Topic’s season-ending injury, which has left a significant gap in the squad's midfield. Read more about Chrisene Returns to Ease Norwich's Left-Back Woes.
The club’s scouting network is actively identifying potential targets in both the Belgian Pro League and the Slovakian top flight. Clement has emphasised the importance of adaptability in the recruitment process, recognising that the club's needs may shift based on player performances. Read more about Yang Targets January Move as Canaries Pursue Celtic Winger.
“We had a meeting two weeks ago about my first impressions about positions, and we all agreed about where to work on and what to find,” Clement stated. “Then we had a meeting two days ago before Preston, and about one position we changed our mind because of what players have been showing in the squad.”
He further clarified, “It doesn’t mean that it’s totally off for January, but it’s more like, ‘Okay, we will look for that position, and we will see where we will get to.’ It’s a constant evolution. It depends how the other players are performing. Of course, if somebody’s growing suddenly out of nothing in a certain position, maybe you change your mind.”
One player who has caught Clement’s attention in recent weeks is Jacob Wright, who has been making a notable impact in the number 10 role—an area that appears to be up for competition. “He is very intelligent,” Clement remarked. “Jacob is always really, really sharp, really alert, really focused in the team meetings. Then you see it also in the training if you practice certain things that he picks up things really fast. He shows intelligence there.”
Clement highlighted that Wright possesses a “good awareness of time and space” and excels at identifying gaps—an essential skill for anyone in the advanced midfield role. “Emi (Marcondes) is also somebody who has good qualities there,” he noted. “I think Mathias (Kvistgaarden) can play there also in the future by being more in that position. So we have a few options there.”
The head coach's approach to squad development is comprehensive, often incorporating discussions about player understanding and body language during team meetings. “Those are really important things for me during meetings—to see how everybody reacts, whether they understand or not, and the body language,” Clement explained. “It is not only a press conference that I put sometimes questions, and not so much with you guys, but more with the group. I ask questions during meetings so we get to know the players and to see who understands the story or not.”
As the January transfer window approaches, Norwich City is set to adopt a proactive stance in its recruitment efforts, aiming to identify the right players to navigate the upcoming challenges and secure their Championship status for the season ahead.