Before the European Championship this summer, English journalists wrote about “the phenomenon of Norway”. The national team has the Premier League’s top scorer, probably the best playmaker in the Premier League, plus La Liga’s second highest scoring player. Nevertheless, Norway is not able to qualify for the championship. Is it really possible? We choose to steer clear of the question, but can add that Norway is now about to get another big star in Andreas Schelderup.
On Saturday, Schelderup scored Benfica in the cup, a goal that gave a 1-1 result against big rival Sporting and finally victory on penalties. Now clubs in several of the biggest leagues have opened their eyes to the 20-year-old, but Benfica are not deviating from the plan they have made for the Norwegian left winger.
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Schjelderup played children’s football for Bodø/Glimt, as a 15-year-old he had been through training stays with Barcelona, Ajax and Liverpool. He got access to the training sessions with the A-team of Bodø/Glimt, then it was a corona epidemic that kept the teenager away from the A-team.
In 2020, the trip took him to Denmark and North Zealand, where Schelderup quickly became a supporter favorite. In 2023, he was signed by Benfica, but had a very tough transfer, where Roger Schmidt did not give Schelderup access to “play warm” at the Portuguese big club. Schelderup pushed for a loan last season and had a brilliant season back at Nordsjælland, where the Danes still love the Norwegian player.
Back at Benfica this season, there is still little playing time, but it has started to loosen up with goals in the last two games. Transfer journalist Romano reports clubs from Spain, Germany and the Netherlands have shown interest in Schelderup, but Benfica see the Norwegian as a future star and have closed the door to inquiries from the clubs.
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Something big is going on with Andreas Schelderup. Check out this goal in the Benfica shirt:
Everything you need to know about Schelderup’s matches