Philippe Clement confirms latest major Norwich City blow - Canaries fans are blaming Ben Knapper strategy | OneFootball

Phillipe Clement has confirmed that Mirko Topic suffered an ACL injury in the midweek draw against Oxford United.

Norwich City boss Phillipe Clement has confirmed that Mirko Topic suffered an ACL injury in the 1-1 draw against Oxford United at Carrow Road in the week.

The Serbian midfielder joined the Canaries from Famalicao in the summer after the two clubs agreed a fee of around €3.5m.

Like most of his teammates, Topic has found it tough in moments this season, but the 24-year-old has been featuring regularly for Norwich, and he started both games under Clement.

The four-cap Serbian international had appeared in 16 of Norwich's opening 17 fixtures, with his arrival having been met with a fair degree of anticipation owing to the fee shelled out for his services. However, Topic's debut campaign in Norfolk is now over in what presents a major early blow for Clement.

Philippe Clement and Norwich City supporters react to big Mirko Topic blow - Ben Knapper strategy blamed

The midfield man was forced off in the draw against the U’s in the week, and Clement admitted after the game that he was worried about the extent of the injury for Topic.

Sadly, those fears have proven to be true, as the boss confirmed to the club’s media that Topic has damaged his ACL, so he will now begin the long road to recovery.

Whilst there was no definitive timeframe on when he will return, the reality is that Topic won’t play again this season, and it’s likely to keep him out the opening months of the 2026/27 season.

So, this is obviously a huge blow for Topic and Norwich, and it’s particularly frustrating for the Norfolk outfit as attacker Ante Crnac suffered the same injury last month.

Therefore, it’s perhaps no surprise that many Norwich fans are bemoaning their luck following what has been a very difficult 16 games so far, with the side already six points from safety…

Another supporter echoed that view, as he rued everything that has gone against Norwich this season.

Yet, some fans were questioning the medical team due to Norwich's injury record, because, as outlined above, Crnac has already suffered the same problem, and this supporter believes they are not signing players who are ready to compete in the Championship.

It's an interesting school of thought, with under-fire sporting director Ben Knapper indirectly blamed for overseeing a recruitment policy of players from abroad who, it is believed, hail from less physically-demanding leagues and are unable to contend with the rigor and exertion of English football's second-tier.

This fan also felt injury issues have become a theme for Norwich over recent years.

Finally, this fan felt another serious injury was symbolic of what has been a 'banter' season for Norwich, who face the very real prospect of dropping to League One.

Norwich City's 2025 summer recruitment policy

For some years now, even during their days in the Premier League, Norwich have frequently looked to overseas, and perhaps lesser-tapped-into, transfer markets for squad building.

It's a strategy that's not without merit or success, with significant profits being collected for South American pair Gabriel Sara and Marcelino Nunez along with Spanish winger Borja Sainz.

There have, however, been more misses than hits, and many of Norwich's signings over the last couple of years have appeared out of their depth after being thrust into the hustle and bustle of the Championship, with reared-and-readied recruits perhaps required in order to stake a genuine promotion push.

Competing for a Premier League return is, of course, some way from the minds of all at Norwich right now, who will instead simply be focusing on avoiding relegation to League One. But the Canaries' current predicament, the Carrow Road faithful feel, is a consequence of ill-fated recruitment and strategy at boardroom level, and Topic's season-ending injury sees the finger pointed towards Knapper and co once more.

Philippe Clement must find the right formula very quickly at Norwich City

Firstly, you have huge sympathy for Topic, as this is the injury that all players fear, and it's going to be a long road back to full fitness for the player, which is not what he would've wanted just a matter of months after joining Norwich.

But, these things happen, and Topic needs to focus on working his way back, whilst Norwich need to cope without the midfielder moving forward.

Clement is still assessing his squad considering he is only just through the door, and this injury does open the door for another player to show what they can do, with Pelle Mattson replacing Topic in the week.

The first two games under the former Rangers chief have been frustrating, especially Oxford's late equaliser, even if there were some positives to take from the performance, but ultimately the Canaries are now six points from safety.

So, it's crucial Clement gets things right quickly, and it will be interesting to see what changes are made moving forward.