Norwich City are preparing for the January transfer window with manager Philippe Clement prioritising the enhancement of the squad's attacking capabilities. Since taking over from Liam Manning in November, Clement has made a notable impact and is keen to build on that foundation as the Canaries strive to escape their current position at the bottom of the Championship.
Clement has emphasised his commitment to pursuing quality over quantity in the upcoming transfer window. He stated, "I'm not going to go into detail about positions because I don't want to put the people in the club with their back against the wall," highlighting the sensitive nature of transfer negotiations. He added, "But it's clear that we need to gain creativity in the final third. That’s what we saw also in this last game. We need to strengthen there and everybody is aligned around that."
The Belgian manager underscored the necessity for high-calibre talent, saying, "For me, it's about quality. So, I prefer somebody who's 12 years old but is an incredible player, and of course I'm exaggerating now, over somebody who's 37 and did everything in the game, but he's not fit anymore, and he cannot do it anymore." He acknowledged the challenges of the January transfer market, noting, "I know also it's a difficult window because there's not one club in the world who wants to lose their best players or players who played a lot of games." Read more about Slimane Targets World Cup Spot After Injury Return.
Clement's comments reflect a pragmatic approach to recruitment as he seeks to secure players who can invigorate the squad. Sporting director Ben Knapper and his recruitment team will play a crucial role in these efforts, especially given the scrutiny surrounding previous transfer activities. With Norwich currently sitting four points adrift at the bottom of the table, the urgency to rectify the situation is palpable. Read more about Mahovo Targets Impact After Challenging Year at Norwich.
Fans are keen to understand the extent of Clement's involvement in the recruitment process. He clarified, "I don't have the time to look at games all over the world now because I'm totally into the story here. We have games every three days and we need to prepare for these games, for training, and to prepare the team in everything, so there's no time for that." His primary focus remains on ensuring the team is ready for matches, while he places trust in the recruitment team to identify potential signings.
Clement highlighted the importance of collaboration within the club, stating, "For the moment, there's been really good cooperation between us to discuss everything. I think this is the normal way that every professional club works." He acknowledged the evolving landscape of football, saying, "I know from the past in some clubs that some fans still think that the manager can find all the players himself like it was 30-40 years ago. These days we don't have time for that anymore, so that's why there's a really interesting part in every football club, and that's the recruitment team."
As the January transfer window approaches, Norwich City are set to make strategic moves aimed at bolstering their squad. With Clement’s clear vision and the expertise of the recruitment team, there is optimism that new talent could help lift the Canaries away from the relegation zone and towards greater stability in the Championship. Read more about Thorup Targets Rapid Vienna Revival After Norwich Exit.