Kellen Fisher has quickly become a pivotal figure for Norwich City, impressing head coach Philippe Clement with his remarkable development since joining from Bromley in 2023. The young defender has established himself as a dependable presence on the pitch, amassing 80 league appearances and earning the trust of multiple managers at Carrow Road.
Clement initially harboured doubts about Fisher's ability to cope with the physical demands of the Championship. However, he has been pleasantly surprised by the defender's adaptability and tenacity. "If you see him for the first time, you think it is not possible this guy plays in the Championship," Clement remarked. He recalled a visit from a former teammate who shared his initial concerns upon witnessing Fisher's performances. "I said, 'He's going to struggle against all these beasts, these animals, these physical presences in this league.'" Read more about Jakirovic Banned as Hull Target Vital Win Against Norwich.
Despite these reservations, Fisher has risen to the challenge. "But he's done brilliantly. And I have to say that Fish is one of the big surprises for me, how he played, the way he behaved, how brave he is on the ball. He's a really good player on the ball," Clement noted, praising the defender's skill and courage in navigating the rigours of the league.
The England Under-21 international has demonstrated impressive versatility, excelling in various positions and adapting swiftly to the differing demands of each role. Clement highlighted Fisher's ability to compete against opponents who often possess a significant physical advantage. "In the duels, how he competes with people who are double the size and double his weight, but he wins those duels," he explained.
While Fisher's performances have been commendable, he is still in search of his first professional goal, a milestone Clement hopes will come soon. "He's so hungry about football, it's really special and it's a really big quality," the manager commented. He underscored the importance of mental resilience alongside technical and physical skills. "It's really somebody with a big passion for football, and those are the players who will also grow a lot because he's ambitious to become better and better."
Clement believes that scoring his first goal will help relieve the pressure Fisher has placed on himself. "Next thing for him now is to start scoring goals. It's crazy that in 100 games he didn't score yet. It's been too much in his head. He needs to create some freedom to get his first goal and I think many will follow, because I see it in the training sessions. I hope for him as fast as possible to get this first goal."
As Kellen Fisher continues to thrive under Clement's guidance, Norwich City supporters will be eager to see how this talented young defender can further impact the team's performance in the ongoing campaign.