Oscar Schwartau is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents within Norwich City’s ranks. The 19-year-old Danish winger made a significant impact during the Canaries’ recent Championship match against Blackburn Rovers, playing a pivotal role in their 2-0 victory. His dynamic second-half performance featured two impressive driving runs that led to goals from Anis Ben Slimane and Mohamed Toure, highlighting his growing influence on the team.
As Schwartau approaches what could be his 75th appearance for Norwich in the upcoming clash with Oxford United, his contributions since joining from Brøndby in the summer of 2024 have been remarkable. His ability to excel on the left wing while also adapting to a more central role underscores his versatility and importance in head coach Philippe Clement’s tactical setup. Read more about Clement Hails Norwich Fans After Blackburn Victory.
Clement expressed his admiration for Schwartau’s development, stating, “It’s no surprise for me. It’s what I see in the training. For somebody who is only 19, that’s remarkable already, because if you speak with him it’s like with a mature guy. He’s smart, he’s intelligent, he’s very hard working, he’s very focused, he’s very hungry to become better. He’s a really nice lad to work with, with also good technical qualities. So I’m curious what he can bring for the future of the club.”
In addition to Schwartau’s performance, Clement also praised Mathias Kvistgaarden, Schwartau’s compatriot and close friend, for his impactful cameo. Kvistgaarden's role behind striker Toure added further depth to Norwich’s attacking strategy. Clement noted, “It’s not only Oscar. I think Kvist also came in really well in a position that he didn’t play so much to play around the striker, but he had a really important role there also. It’s about the right positions and also the connections with other players. For example, playing with Mo is different than playing with Jovon (Makama) or playing with Josh Sargent, so you need to adapt also in the role behind them.”
Clement emphasised the importance of squad cohesion, ensuring that every player feels integrated into the team’s efforts, particularly those who may not always be in the starting lineup. “The praise is always for the players because they come on and they do the job. But I think the most important point is this is not something new; that when the players come on, they give extra energy to the team,” he explained.
He added, “We had already several games where we could make the difference in the second half with fresh players coming on and giving their energy, compared to the beginning of the season, where the team level dropped in the second half. Those are really important qualities as a group of players.”
As Norwich City builds momentum in their Championship campaign, the emergence of talents like Schwartau, alongside the contributions from the squad's depth, may prove crucial in their pursuit of glory this season.