Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur both missed out on Andreas Schjelderup and his former Nordsjaelland chief now believes the Benfica forward ‘can reach the same level as Martin Odegaard’, speaking to The Athletic.
Has there ever been a more exciting time to be a fan of the Norway national team? Forget your Odegaards, your Sander Berges, your Erling Haalands; the rising force of Scandinavian football can also pin their hopes upon some of Northern Europe’s most exciting young talent.
Take Schjelderup, for instance. A prolific goalscorer at Nordsjaelland, the Norway U21 international joined Benfica for a reported £12 million in January. Given their track record when it comes to turning potential into elite-level talent, do not be surprised to see Schjelderup follow in the footsteps of Enzo Fernandez, Darwin Nunez and co before long.
And if Schjelderup’s floppy blonde hair, mesmerising footwork and instinctive passing feels eerily familiar, then there’s probably a very good reason for that.
“There are some similarities between Odegaard and Andreas,” says Flemming Pedersen, Nordsjaelland’s technical director. “He can at the very least reach the same level as Odegaard.
“He will definitely play for a Champions League team. And hopefully also be a part of the team that wins that trophy too.”
Liverpool and Tottenham wanted Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup
Schjelderup, speaking to The Telegraph last year, admitted to undergoing trials at both Liverpool and Tottenham before breaking through at Norsdjaelland. The silky forward rebuffed Jurgen Klopp’s advances in January too; Fabrizio Romano reporting that he opted for Benfica after talks had taken place with the six-time European champions.
“He can make mistakes and grow. In today’s game, most young players don’t get that kind of time at bigger clubs,” Pedersen adds. “Other clubs were interested in Andreas. But Benfica is a clever choice.
“The style of play will suit him.”
Schjelderup is yet to make his debut for the Portuguese leaders. He did not feature during the 7-1 Champions League last-16 aggregate victory over Club Brugge. Benfica coach Roger Schmidt, however, insists that opportunities will soon come the 18-year-old’s way.
“His time will come,” the former Bayer Leverkusen and PSV coach tells TV2. “He is a brilliant player and a brilliant talent.”
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