It didn’t seem to matter who got injured/threw a World Cup-induced tantrum: there was always someone waiting to take their place and announce themselves as the latest superstar.

This often happened at the expense of Mathias Kvistgaarden.

Signed from Brondby in July 2025 for around £7 million, there was significant excitement about the Dane at the time. He’d done well in Denmark and was well regarded on the continent – plus, we’d had success with Nordic strikers from Brondby before.

However, he found himself playing second fiddle to the in-form Josh Sargent, before missing six games through injury. Kvistgaarden started Clement’s first game in late November, but did not return to the starting line-up until the end of February, scoring just once in that time.

It was Mo Toure’s early injury against Sheffield Wednesday that handed him a chance; within 25 minutes of being on the pitch, he had scored the opener.

This, however, was to be his last goal of the season. Having been hooked at half-time against Ipswich for a resurgent Toure, Kvistgaarden would make only substitute appearances until September. There was speculation in the summer that he was unhappy and looking for a way out, having gone on a bit of a social media cleanse.

Norwich are lucky this turned out not to be the case. With Jovon Makama out for longer than expected, Toure picking up an injury in September, and performance levels starting to drop, some consistency and stability were needed – and Kvistgaarden’s start to the season has shown just that. His two goals and an assist earned him a late call-up to Denmark’s squad in the early international break, which saw him feature for the senior squad for the first time since signing for Norwich.

Mathias Kvistgaarden tussles with Charlton's Lloyd Jones (Image: Ben Peters/Focus Images Ltd)

Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Charlton offered a timely reminder of just what Kvistgaarden brings to this squad. He supplied the assist for Paris Maghoma’s equaliser before heading Norwich into the lead early in the second half, two decisive contributions in a match some were billing as a “must win” (or, if that’s too premature for you, at least a “could really do with showing some signs of improvement”).

After six league defeats on the bounce this result was about more than just individual statistics, but Kvistgaarden’s influence was impossible to ignore.

It was satisfying to see him make the difference on a day when Norwich needed players to step up. The assist showed he can contribute beyond putting away chances, while his composed goal demonstrated the instinct that made him such an attractive signing 15 months ago.

His resurgence shouldn’t be seen as a competition that someone has to lose. Makama – and Toure on his return – offer genuine reason for optimism, and Norwich are far better off with several forwards capable of influencing games than one individual needing to carry the goal-scoring burden. The question is whether Clement can find a way to get the best out of all three, when he has his full striking complement at his disposal.

Different opponents demand different qualities and we know a long, gruelling Championship campaign requires depth and rotation. A fit, confident Kvistgaarden gives Clement another weapon, particularly if he can continue to build on the momentum he is beginning to generate.

He doesn’t need to become Norwich’s undisputed first choice striker overnight, nor does he need to outshine Makama and Toure to justify his place in the squad. He simply needs to continue being a reliable contributor, someone who can make an impact when called on. Saturday was an important step in the right direction.

For much of this season we’ve been desperately looking for reasons to believe. In Kvistgaarden, there may be one we were in danger of overlooking.