Former Norwich City defender Timm Klose has thrown his support behind Christian Fassnacht, urging the Swiss international to overcome his challenges and prove his value to the Canaries.
Fassnacht, who arrived at Carrow Road from Swiss club Young Boys last summer, has faced a tough transition to English football due to inconsistent form and fitness setbacks. Despite his struggles, the 31-year-old demonstrated flashes of quality in his debut season, finishing as Norwich’s third-highest scorer behind Josh Sargent, Gabriel Sara, and Jonathan Rowe. However, the winger has yet to secure a regular starting role under Johannes Hoff Thorup, having started fewer than half of his 48 league appearances since his arrival.
Klose’s Confidence in Fassnacht
Klose, who shares a close relationship with Fassnacht from their time representing Switzerland, remains optimistic about the winger’s potential. Fassnacht had reached out to Klose for advice before joining Norwich, and the former defender has faith in his compatriot’s ability to succeed in the Championship.
“He’s the kind of player who never gives up. He runs until he cannot run anymore, and technically, he is not too bad, so he will produce something for you, especially in front of the goal – he’s a natural finisher,” Klose said.
The ex-City defender pointed to confidence and injuries as key barriers to Fassnacht’s success but believes the winger has the resilience to overcome them. “If you’re not confident enough to play your game, that will stop you from being your best on the pitch. He just needs to go out and play his football without thinking too much about what is going to happen or what people are going to say, even the gaffer,” Klose added.
Injuries and Consistency the Key Challenges
Fassnacht’s first season in England marked his initial move away from Switzerland, presenting him with a steep learning curve. Klose drew parallels between Fassnacht’s situation and his own experiences, noting that staying fit and maintaining a high level of performance week in and week out is the most challenging aspect of professional football.
“Sometimes in the season before, we saw that quality, but then it vanished again because of injuries or because he was not confident enough. The hardest part is to stay on that level and produce every week – giving assists, goals, and something back to the club,” Klose explained.
Writer’s View
As Norwich City aim to climb the Championship table, Fassnacht’s ability to rediscover his form could be a crucial factor in their push for success. With Klose’s backing and a renewed sense of belief, the winger still has a significant role to play at Carrow Road.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
