Matej Jurasek Faces Early Test After Norwich Move
When Norwich splashed £5.8m on 21-year-old Czech winger Matej Jurasek from Slavia Prague, hopes were high. With a reputation for pace, creativity, and European pedigree, the signing was billed as one of the club’s most exciting in recent years.
So far, though, Jurasek’s impact has been limited. As the Championship pauses for the first international break, he has only logged 73 minutes of competitive football – all in the EFL Cup – and is still waiting for his league debut. With Norwich sat mid-table after two wins and two defeats, pressure is mounting for him to deliver on both his transfer fee and long contract.
Jurasek arrived at Carrow Road with strong credentials. A Slavia Prague academy product, he made 91 senior appearances, scored against AC Milan and Ludogorets in the Europa League, and broke into the Czech national team in 2024, featuring at EURO 2024. Yet in Norfolk, the transition has been slow.
Manager Liam Manning insists fitness is not the issue, stressing instead that competition for places is fierce. “If you’re not at the required level, someone else will step in,” he explained, while also praising Jurasek’s attitude and performances in training. The winger did undergo minor hernia surgery in the summer but still managed to score in pre-season, hinting at the qualities that persuaded Norwich to invest heavily in him.
With other experienced names also left out of matchday squads, Manning has shown he’s unafraid of tough selection calls. His comments after the League Cup win at Watford were encouraging but clear: Jurasek remains in the picture, but breaking into the side will take more consistency.
The weeks ahead will be decisive. Norwich face Coventry, Wrexham, Stoke, West Brom, and Bristol City after the break – fixtures that could shape their season. For Jurasek, under contract until 2030, the challenge is turning promise into production before opportunities slip away.
For a player once lauded in Europe and fast-tracked to international football, his Norwich spell is at a crossroads. Whether he becomes a cornerstone of the club’s future or just a cautionary tale depends on how he responds in the coming months.
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