Norwich City boss Philippe Clement has ruled out a knee-jerk signing after left-back Lucien Mahovo was ruled out for the start of the Championship season with ankle ligament damage.
The 21-year-old picked up the injury in a pre-season friendly against Colchester United, forcing Clement to reaffirm the club’s ongoing search for defensive cover. With Ben Chrisene already back from shoulder surgery, the Belgian insists the search remains measured despite the fresh urgency.
What did Clement say about the left-back hunt?
Clement stressed that Norwich City’s recruitment team won’t rush into a deal just to plug a short-term gap. “We said from the start we wanted another player for that position, so nothing changed,” he told reporters. “We’re still looking for the right player at the right price. The club needs someone who can step in now and deliver for the next year and beyond.”
The manager added that urgency is constant across the club, from the owners to the recruitment staff, but the priority is quality over haste. “It’s not for the next month; it’s for the next year and years to come,” he said.
How has Ben Chrisene slotted in?
Chrisene, 21, returned from his summer shoulder surgery and played the first 45 minutes in Norwich City’s 3-0 win at St Gallen on 20 July 2026. Clement praised the England Under-21 international’s fitness, noting his hard work during rehab. “He showed what I already knew - that he worked really hard on his physical condition,” the manager said. “That’s why he can step in without game minutes and still perform at that level.”
The boss expects Chrisene to build toward full 90-minute returns this season, with youngster Vatan Ozcan also featuring in Switzerland. Kellen Fisher’s versatility has once again highlighted depth issues in the same defensive slot, mirroring last season’s pattern.
Who else has Norwich City signed this summer?
So far, Norwich City have added Andre Brooks as their headline summer signing, plus Sam Field on a permanent deal and Brazilian centre-back Bruno Alves. The Canaries finished ninth in the Championship last season with 65 points from 46 games, a record of 19 wins, 8 draws and 19 losses. Their recent form reads L-D-W-W-L, and they sit nine points behind league leaders Coventry with a goal difference of +7 (63 scored, 56 conceded).
Clement believes these additions give his squad the tools to push for a higher finish this term. “We made the step we want,” he said. “Now it’s about building on it.”
