The Portuguese coach Frederico Pereira Morais lists some of the qualities that distinguish the youngsters trained in the championships in Denmark, Norway, Sweden or Finland. In addition to the different origins -players born in those countries, but the children of emigrants, youngsters who arrive from the African continent through club associations-, there is a work behavior that makes talent flourish in leagues where there are opportunities for younger players. , indicates the assistant coach at Sarpsborg 08 in the Norwegian top flight.
“They are very respectful of the coach, with the team’s rules, almost putting their ego aside in favor of what the coach’s instructions are, the team’s rules, their role in the group from other places in Europe.” The 34-year-old Portuguese coach gives an example. “The arrival of Aursnes at Benfica was a surprise for many people. Not for me because he knew the qualities that he had, ”says the coach about the Norwegian international who arrived at the beginning of the season at the request of Roger Schmidt.
“More and more we see young players with different approaches to what a young player should be,” explains the coach. “The concern for what they do in training, their lifestyle, their diet. As we are talking about highly developed countries, the training sessions, what players are available, the connection between clubs and schools”. In the particular case of Norway, he indicates, the price factor must be added. “It’s a relatively cheap market,” largely untapped by the top-league clubs that dominate European soccer.
From the line to the box, Andreas Schjelderup as Simão
“Andreas Schjelderup is a diamond, a player who is now showing his first signs”, explains Frederico Pereira Morais about Benfica’s objective in the winter market. Norwegian, trained at Bodo Glimt, the attacking midfielder is the top scorer in the current Danish championship, playing for Nordsjaelland. “A player like that, or you get it at the beginning of your career, to give you games, space to develop, or, if you go to another club, it will be much more expensive in the future,” says the Portuguese. coach. For a club like Benfica it is now or never.
“It would bring something that has been talked about a lot lately that Benfica needs. A dribbling player, capable of overcoming one-on-one situations”, the coach begins by describing. There is a well-known image that illustrates the player’s capabilities. “From the line, playing wide, he can go inside creating breaking moves, diagonals. Almost like a Simão Sabrosa from other times”, he indicates.
At 18, Schjelderup has only finished one of the 17 games he has played in the Danish league. “Andreas doesn’t have many 90 minutes in his legs. He is a vertical player, very aggressive in every action. He whenever he touches the ball or has a dribble, or a pass to a teammate. In 15 minutes he manages to intervene in the match, which is difficult for another player, at this moment it would be difficult to see him as a starter in a team like Benfica, but, as a “can opener”, a player capable of opening spaces and creating situations that the player needs game, so yes, it would certainly be an interesting bet for Benfica”.
From the box and for the box, Casper Tengstedt as Paulinho
Heading in the opposite direction from Schjelderup, Casper Tengstedt traded Danish football for a chance at Rosenborg, one of the best clubs in Norwegian football. At 22, he scored 14 goals in 14 games in the second half of the season at Rosenborg (third in a league that ended in November). Appointed to Sporting, Frederico Pereira Morais believes that the player can have an impact in a league like the Portuguese.
“He is a striker, a born finisher. He likes to take out the opponent and finish off. He is very intelligent in his movements inside the area, agile and aggressive. He is also strong in the passing game and therefore his game is in the air. opposite area”. He also adds physical qualities. “He is strong at protecting the ball when his back is turned”, which allows him to win shots in duels.” In addition to these qualities, Frederico Pereira Morais believes that Tengstedt could easily score goals in Portugal.
“He is very young and is taking his first steps as a senior. Thinking about Sporting and the way Rúben Amorim wants to play, I think he would adapt to playing in a three-man attack, or even in a system with two forwards and a 10. In his career he played in three teams that are used to to dominate the game, with rivals who retire”, describes the Portuguese coach. “I think Paulinho is very close to him in his way of playing. He could be an alternative or a very similar second option to add to the game. It would be a good investment.”
From Norway to the best European championships, the January window has already added Ola Solbakken to José Mourinho’s Roma (extreme who was at Bodo Glimt), but also David Datro Fofana to Graham Potter’s Chelsea (Ivorian spearhead who was in Molde, champion). But there is more talent to discover in a country that now has references such as Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland. “There is a player who was in Portugal, he spent a few years forming the Futebol Clube do Porto. Due to age issues, he ended up not having the chance to enroll.”
He is now at Manchester City, his name is Oscar Bobb: “He has been growing at these levels. He is from 2003 and I think he is one of the names we are going to see appear in Europe.”
Source: TSF
