Philippe Clement Discusses City’s Transfer Trade-Offs
Norwich City’s transfer activities have seen the addition of winger Ali Ahmed, but the club continues to seek further reinforcements. Manager Philippe Clement highlighted the need for a central midfielder and a creative No. 10 as they prepare for the upcoming matches.
Philippe Clement Discusses City’s Transfer Trade-Offs
The club’s pursuit of West Ham’s Andy Irving seems less likely due to competition from other clubs. Nevertheless, Norwich remains focused on uncovering alternative central midfield options and creative players. However, they are not expected to finalize any deals before the match against Wrexham on Saturday.
Loan Market vs. Permanent Signings
Clement emphasized the importance of making informed decisions during the transfer window. He expressed a preference for permanent signings over loans. “I’m not a favourite of several loans in the club,” he stated. “We don’t have a squad like that now. I prefer permanent, of course, like everybody does.” He explained that permanent players increase in value, benefiting the club long-term.
However, he acknowledged that sometimes loans are necessary. “In this transfer window, you come into a situation where a stronger player can be available on loan for six months,” he noted. “Those are choices that we need to make together.”
Challenges of the January Transfer Window
The January transfer window is notoriously challenging for clubs and managers. “This is always a really, really tricky window for everybody,” Clement explained. “Getting players who are fit and ready to play adds to the difficulty.” Managers often need to balance immediate needs against long-term goals.
- Challenges include:
- Competition from other clubs
- Finding fit players
- Making long-term vs. short-term choices
Clement highlighted the hard work of the recruitment team, who are tirelessly searching for viable options. “I’ve been here many hours in the club every day, but the recruitment team even more,” he added. As Norwich navigates the complexities of this transfer window, fans are hopeful for further signings that will bolster the squad.
