Kristian Thorstvedt wants to join Tottenham Hotspur but he’s backing their London rivals West Ham United to progress in the Europa League group stages, speaking to Het Laaste Nieuws.
Clearly, the seven-time Norway international isn’t a man afraid to speak his mind.
In an interview with a staunchly Belgian publication, Thorstvedt admitted he would choose Erling Haaland over Romelu Lukaku – the most prolific Rote Duivels goalscorer of all time – every day of the week.
And when asked about KRC Genk’s European prospects this season, the 22-year-old admitted the Jupiler League side would probably aim for second place, with David Moyes’ West Ham his favourites to top a group also containing Rapid Vienna of Austria and Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia.
Could Kristian Thorstvedt one day play against West Ham for Spurs?
“West Ham is my favourite,” says Thorstvedt, a gifted attacking midfielder who scored nine times last season and won the Belgian Cup along the way.
“Rapid Vienna is the weakest opponent on paper. I think we (Genk) will fight with Zagreb for second place, then a win against Rapid is a must.”
Genk will make the trip to the London Stadium in five weeks’ time and Thorstvedt, you’d imagine, will be desperate to seize his opportunity in the English capital – particularly as the 6ft 2in playmaker harbours hopes of playing for West Ham’s rivals at some point in the future.
The son of legendary Tottenham goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt, Kristian wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and a couple of eye-catching performances on the Europa League stage would do his prospects no harm at all.
“(A move to Tottenham) has always been in my dreams – but a lot must happen for it to become a reality,” Thorstvedt, who has been compared to Chelsea legend Frank Lampard due to his penchant for scoring from midfield, told Dagsavisen recently.
“It has always been Spurs for me. (But) I am happy in Belgium. I have lots of games to look forward to in the league, the domestic cup and in the European cup.”
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