Yates in the Fjord
First Team Squad
I was thinking of putting together a Norway WC Special for the transfer forum, 100% BUPA and just for fun, but also something to keep an eye on during the World Cup for those of you who like watching players from other countries. Here are the top five (or actually 6) Norwegian players Forest could take a look at (and yes, I’ve obviously left out Haaland, Ødegaard and most of the other players already playing in PL)
1. Antonio Nusa (21 yrs), LW playing for RB Leipzig and contracted to 2029.
If we’re looking for a winger, there aren’t many better options. He’s been outstanding for the national team and could easily become one of the real breakout stars of the World Cup. He’s right‑footed and plays on the left. Lightning‑fast, technically superb, able to take on defenders both inside and outside, though he’s at his very best when cutting inside to shoot. He also strikes the ball extremely well. He hasn’t yet managed to show the same level for his club sides as he does for Norway, but the moment he does, he’ll probably be out of our reach. Could be a real steal.
2. Andreas Schjelderup (22 yrs) LW playing for Benfica and contracted to 2028.
Schjelderup is in many ways similar to Nusa, not quite as extreme in his attributes and, for example, without the same top speed, but he also has excellent technical ability and a very good right foot. He primarily plays on the left wing as well, though he’s not as much of an out‑and‑out winger as Nusa. He’s a bit more versatile in the attacking phase and can also operate as a left‑sided attacking midfielder, either as an 8 in a midfield three or in a more traditional wide role. He’s slightly behind Nusa at national‑team level, but he has delivered far more in club football. He’s coming off a very strong season for Benfica, where he produced 7 goals and 6 assists in 28 league matches.
3. Julian Ryerson (28 yrs), Right back/right wingback for Borussia Dortmund and contracted to 2028.
If we’re looking for a full‑back, primarily on the right, but also someone who can cover on the left, then the "pitbull" from Dortmund is a very interesting option. He has a massive winning mentality and plays like a wild animal on the pitch, hence the nickname “the pitbull.” He should have the physical capacity to handle the Premier League, has decent pace, and brings huge aggression and intensity to his game. On top of that, he has a fantastic right foot, something his 15 assists in 31 Bundesliga matches this season clearly demonstrate.
4. Alexander Sørloth (30yrs) Striker playing for Ath. Madrid and contracted to 2028.
If we’re thinking about a replacement for Chris Wood, Sørloth isn’t a bad man to take a closer look at. He had a brief and unsuccessful spell in England with Palace a few years back, but he’s grown enormously during his time in Spain and has now produced 12, 23, 20 and 13 goals in his last four La Liga seasons — the last two for Atlético Madrid, and before that for Real Sociedad and Villarreal. He’s mostly been used as a super‑sub for Atlético this year, but he still delivers goals at a steady rate. Big and strong as an ox, excellent in the air, and a very solid finisher with his feet as well. For the national team he often plays a kind of hybrid striker/wing role on the right so that both he and Haaland can fit into a 4‑3‑3, but he’s clearly at his best as a traditional target forward.
5. Sander Berge (28 yrs), The exception to my rule about not including Premier League players... Central midfielder playing for Fulham and contracted to 2029.
Berge could help plug the gap left by Elliott Anderson in midfield. He’s not a direct replacement and is probably more of an alternative to Sangaré, but he’s a lovely, composed player with good physical capacity. He’s not the one you notice the most, which is often the case with players of his type, but he does an excellent job for both Fulham and Norway. He’s already fully Premier‑League ready and could be a very smart signing.
Bonus: Fredrik Aursnes (30 yrs) Central Midfielder from Benfica and contracted to 2029. If we're excluding PL and therefore Berge, but still looking for a midfielder, I'd go with this guy.
Aursnes is a versatile midfielder, and Mourinho has said that Benfica are one team when Aursnes doesn’t play and a completely different one when he does. He’s a midfielder who can probably take on more of the Elliott Anderson‑type responsibilities than both Berge. He’s starting to get on a bit in age, but he continues to perform at a consistently high level for Benfica. Does he have the Premier League in his legs? Hard to say, but he’s a smart, technically sound and hard‑working player. He reads the game exceptionally well, positions himself correctly and gives the team structure and balance. Covers massive ground and maintains high intensity throughout a match.
There you go, that was a quick rundown of the most interesting Norwegian WC-players who could be worth a look for Forest, both based on their qualities and on what we might need. They’re unlikely to be realistic targets, but especially Nusa and Schjelderup are players we really should take a closer look at. They’re young, fit our profile, and both should be within reach, financially and sporting‑wise.
1. Antonio Nusa (21 yrs), LW playing for RB Leipzig and contracted to 2029.
If we’re looking for a winger, there aren’t many better options. He’s been outstanding for the national team and could easily become one of the real breakout stars of the World Cup. He’s right‑footed and plays on the left. Lightning‑fast, technically superb, able to take on defenders both inside and outside, though he’s at his very best when cutting inside to shoot. He also strikes the ball extremely well. He hasn’t yet managed to show the same level for his club sides as he does for Norway, but the moment he does, he’ll probably be out of our reach. Could be a real steal.
2. Andreas Schjelderup (22 yrs) LW playing for Benfica and contracted to 2028.
Schjelderup is in many ways similar to Nusa, not quite as extreme in his attributes and, for example, without the same top speed, but he also has excellent technical ability and a very good right foot. He primarily plays on the left wing as well, though he’s not as much of an out‑and‑out winger as Nusa. He’s a bit more versatile in the attacking phase and can also operate as a left‑sided attacking midfielder, either as an 8 in a midfield three or in a more traditional wide role. He’s slightly behind Nusa at national‑team level, but he has delivered far more in club football. He’s coming off a very strong season for Benfica, where he produced 7 goals and 6 assists in 28 league matches.
3. Julian Ryerson (28 yrs), Right back/right wingback for Borussia Dortmund and contracted to 2028.
If we’re looking for a full‑back, primarily on the right, but also someone who can cover on the left, then the "pitbull" from Dortmund is a very interesting option. He has a massive winning mentality and plays like a wild animal on the pitch, hence the nickname “the pitbull.” He should have the physical capacity to handle the Premier League, has decent pace, and brings huge aggression and intensity to his game. On top of that, he has a fantastic right foot, something his 15 assists in 31 Bundesliga matches this season clearly demonstrate.
4. Alexander Sørloth (30yrs) Striker playing for Ath. Madrid and contracted to 2028.
If we’re thinking about a replacement for Chris Wood, Sørloth isn’t a bad man to take a closer look at. He had a brief and unsuccessful spell in England with Palace a few years back, but he’s grown enormously during his time in Spain and has now produced 12, 23, 20 and 13 goals in his last four La Liga seasons — the last two for Atlético Madrid, and before that for Real Sociedad and Villarreal. He’s mostly been used as a super‑sub for Atlético this year, but he still delivers goals at a steady rate. Big and strong as an ox, excellent in the air, and a very solid finisher with his feet as well. For the national team he often plays a kind of hybrid striker/wing role on the right so that both he and Haaland can fit into a 4‑3‑3, but he’s clearly at his best as a traditional target forward.
5. Sander Berge (28 yrs), The exception to my rule about not including Premier League players... Central midfielder playing for Fulham and contracted to 2029.
Berge could help plug the gap left by Elliott Anderson in midfield. He’s not a direct replacement and is probably more of an alternative to Sangaré, but he’s a lovely, composed player with good physical capacity. He’s not the one you notice the most, which is often the case with players of his type, but he does an excellent job for both Fulham and Norway. He’s already fully Premier‑League ready and could be a very smart signing.
Bonus: Fredrik Aursnes (30 yrs) Central Midfielder from Benfica and contracted to 2029. If we're excluding PL and therefore Berge, but still looking for a midfielder, I'd go with this guy.
Aursnes is a versatile midfielder, and Mourinho has said that Benfica are one team when Aursnes doesn’t play and a completely different one when he does. He’s a midfielder who can probably take on more of the Elliott Anderson‑type responsibilities than both Berge. He’s starting to get on a bit in age, but he continues to perform at a consistently high level for Benfica. Does he have the Premier League in his legs? Hard to say, but he’s a smart, technically sound and hard‑working player. He reads the game exceptionally well, positions himself correctly and gives the team structure and balance. Covers massive ground and maintains high intensity throughout a match.
There you go, that was a quick rundown of the most interesting Norwegian WC-players who could be worth a look for Forest, both based on their qualities and on what we might need. They’re unlikely to be realistic targets, but especially Nusa and Schjelderup are players we really should take a closer look at. They’re young, fit our profile, and both should be within reach, financially and sporting‑wise.
