Farke still sure City made correct decision in allowing Klose his ‘dream’ move to Basel

Norwich City may be short on numbers in defence already but Daniel Farke felt it wouldn’t have been fair to deny Timm Klose his ‘dream’ move back to Basel, as he chases a return to the Switzerland squad.

The 32-year-old is under contract until 2022 but was allowed to join his boyhood club on a season-long loan earlier this month, with the option of a permanent deal.

Klose hasn’t been able to feature for Basel yet, after a positive Covid-19 test forced him to isolate.

“It was a difficult situation. Timm had a big wish and we also have to understand and accept this,” Farke explained recently. “Go back to when I came in. It was pretty likely he was going to leave and I said ‘no chance’. He is an unbelievably important player for me. He was great when he was fit.

“I remember a period with Christoph Zimmermann where we had a club record of clean sheets in a row. He created great memories, that late equaliser against Ipswich. But sadly he had an horrendous injury that kept him out for 18 months or so.

“He played the last few games of last season and after being out so long (with a knee injury) it was difficult. He got lots of stick and for me that criticism was over the line. You forget he was out so long.”

MORE: City boss wanted a new centre-backKlose played the opening hour of a 3-1 loss at Luton in the League Cup in September but limped off with a dead leg and even with the sale of Ben Godfrey to Everton, he wasn’t involved in the opening four league games, with Zimmermann, Ben Gibson and Grant Hanley ahead of him in the pecking order.

With Zimmermann missing the last four games with a calf injury, Farke added about Klsoe: “He had a chance for his dream move, his childhood club, he wants to play regularly and that is understandable. There is also a big tournament (Euro 2021) and he needs to be playing pretty much every minute. We had a decision to make. If we stop this move and he is third or fourth choice could he be a bit moody?

“Timm did a lot for this club and he is a gentleman. How he acted and his agent, we allowed this, although we knew it would leave us in a difficult decision. But do we kill his dream after two difficult years? You know how much I value him. But we have to work with human beings and it was the right decision.”

MORE: Klose urges City fans to give Farke time