Paris Maghoma on Philippe Clement's influence...

(pinkun)

Paris Maghoma views Philippe Clement as a ‘father figure’ who can get the best out of him at Norwich City.

The attacking midfielder revealed he set himself a target of five goal contributions, following his January window switch from Premier League Brentford.

The 24-year-old hit that mark with the assist for Liam Gibbs’ match-winner to sink Derby at Carrow Road recently.

Maghoma is already a firm fan favourite with his swashbuckling displays, and the attacking midfielder knows he made the right move to join the Canaries.

“I want to give a big thank you to everyone; the fans, the gaffer, the staff, my team mates, they’ve really helped me settle in quickly,” he said. “I’m just enjoying my football. I know the club’s been through a difficult period and now we’re starting to win and you just see everyone behind us, no matter what.

"I feel like the head coach is a really understanding gaffer and you can go to him and talk to him about anything, whether it’s on the pitch or off the pitch and he’ll put his arm around you.

“The way I would describe him is like a father figure, more than a manager; he really cares a lot for everyone, no matter the situation. We’re just lucky to have him. When I came here my aim was to get five goals/assists and I’ve reached that target. Now it’s just about bettering it to carry on.”

The former Tottenham academy product had a frustrating spell on the sidelines towards the end of his time at the Bees with hamstring injuries, but is relishing the responsibility from Clement in the key number 10 role.

“It’s been a strange season for me, being injured at the beginning of it and now starting to get a lot of game and just finding my rhythm,” he said, speaking in the club’s Swansea matchday programme.

“For me, centrally as the number 10 I think that’s my favourite position, as it’s the one that’s a bit more natural to me, but if the gaffer wants me off the right or the left or deep in midfield then I’m happy to do the job.

"You can see that a number of the boys, with the amount of injuries that we’ve had, had to fill in positions that are unnatural to them, and done a really good job.”

Maghoma is from a footballing dynasty with his two older brothers, Jacques and Christian, both making it in the professional game. Jacques was also an international for the DR Congo, and his younger sibling revealed he has the same longer term ambition.

Maghoma represented England at age group level but would quality through his parents to represent Congo, who will compete at this summer’s World Cup in a pool that features Portugal and Colombia.

“I think since I was young I’ve always had a desire to play for Congo,” he said. “Seeing my two brothers play for them was a big honour, representing their country and then my oldest brother being more of a stand-out performer for them.

"He’s always been someone that I looked up to, he’s always been my idol and the first person I watched play football. If I could follow in his footsteps, that’d be amazing for sure.”

Posted By: DrDublin on April 29th 2026 at 07:51:00

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