Schjelderup encourages Benfica | Abola.pt

Reds very satisfied with the evolution of the Norwegian winger at Nordsjaelland; feel that the young person is better prepared and motivated to triumph in the return to the Light

Andreas Schjelderup is having the best period since returning to Nordsjaelland, on loan until the end of the season. Five goals and an assist in the last four games are the ultimate proof, for Benfica and the 19-year-old Norwegian winger, that his return to the Danish club, from which he left for Benfica in January 2023 for €14 million (including rights to intermediation), was the best option.

Benfica’s professional structure has maintained contact with Andreas Schjelderup and his representatives. And at Luz they feel that the Norwegian under-21 international has taken a step forward in his career. After initial difficulties at the time, he has shown the qualities that led Benfica to invest heavily in signing him.

Schjelderup is now better prepared physically and mentally to return to Luz. And that encourages Benfica. He has played 34 games (24 as a starter, having been used as a substitute a few times at the start of the season), eight goals and ten assists. In the first half of last season, he had even more interesting numbers — 17 games, 10 goals and one assist. This led Benfica to move forward with the signing, with the awareness that Schjelderup’s development could take some time. But there were several clubs also interested, including Liverpool, and the Reds decided to act quickly.

More explosive

Norway’s coach, Stale Solbakken, revealed, in an interview with A BOLA at the end of April, that Schjelderup “is stronger” and that his actions “are more explosive”, adding, however, that “there is a big difference between playing in Nordsjaelland and Benfica».

The coach does not doubt, however, that the winger “has evolved a lot this year and is better prepared and more mature than when he arrived in Lisbon” in January 2023.

«You can expect a player with more maturity, who has evolved, but who still has to take two or three more steps before being sure that he can influence Benfica’s game. It’s not a finished product yet,” added Solbakken.

Schjelderup is guaranteed that he will have another opportunity at Luz. Initial plans included him in this season’s squad, but the opportunity arose, which Benfica did not refuse, to sign Ángel Di María, at the end of his contract. Whatever happens to the world champion, at the end of his contract and with his future yet to be defined, the winger will, at least, do pre-season.

«They believe in Andreas»

Rafaela Pimenta, Schjelderup’s manager, has already acknowledged that no one expected the situation that occurred at Benfica at the beginning of this season, referring to the competition in the squad and, of course, to Di María. But she continues to believe that the Norwegian international was right to return to Denmark, as at Benfica “it would be very difficult to find the necessary space”.

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«It’s obvious that when Benfica makes an investment of that importance it sets the tone. I always say: ‘Boot your mouth where your bill is’. They made an investment that demonstrated how much they consider and believe in this player. Conversations with Benfica are very positive. I have no doubt that they believe in the player and the step that Andreas took was very intelligent”, said Rafaela Pimenta, in March, at podcast Final Cut.