Andreas Schjelderup's stunning strike against England may not have been enough to keep Norway's World Cup dream alive, but it ensured one thing: Europe's top clubs will be watching him again.
The Benfica winger enjoyed an outstanding tournament, finishing with a goal against England, two assists against Brazil and another assist against France as Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history. While Erling Haaland grabbed most of the headlines, Schjelderup emerged as one of the competition's biggest breakout stars.
Liverpool and Tottenham were watching long before his breakthrough
Schjelderup is no overnight success.
Before making his name in Portugal, the Norwegian attacker attracted interest from several of Europe's biggest clubs. Liverpool and Tottenham both followed his progress during his teenage years, while Ajax, Bayern Munich and PSV were also among his admirers.
Despite those opportunities, Schjelderup chose a different path.
Rather than joining one of Europe's established giants, he opted for Danish side Nordsjælland, believing the club offered the clearest route to regular first-team football. The decision quickly paid off, with the winger breaking into the senior side and establishing himself as one of Scandinavia's brightest young prospects.
Benfica's gamble is beginning to pay off
Benfica moved quickly to secure Schjelderup's signature in 2023, agreeing a deal worth around €9 million before integrating him into their long-term plans.
Two years later, that investment looks increasingly shrewd.
The 2004-born winger was often used as Norway's game-changing option from the bench during the World Cup, bringing creativity and direct running whenever manager Ståle Solbakken needed to change a match. His impact was impossible to ignore, culminating in the superb curling effort that briefly gave Norway hope against England.
Those performances have only strengthened the feeling that his market value is set to rise again this summer.
Premier League clubs could revisit their interest
Interest from Italy has come and gone over the past year, but no club followed through with a serious move before Benfica tied him down.
The situation now feels very different.
At just 22, Schjelderup combines Champions League experience with an impressive international tournament and plenty of room to develop. For Premier League clubs looking to add a technically gifted wide forward, he is becoming an increasingly attractive option.
Liverpool and Tottenham both admired his potential before he left Scandinavia. After his performances on the biggest international stage, they may decide the time is right to take another look.
Key Points
- Andreas Schjelderup impressed during Norway's run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
- The Benfica winger scored against England and registered three assists during the tournament.
- Liverpool and Tottenham were among the clubs to track him before his move to Benfica.
- Benfica signed the Norwegian from Nordsjælland for around €9 million.
- His World Cup displays could spark fresh Premier League interest this summer.
What's next?
Benfica are under no pressure to sell one of their brightest young attackers, but Schjelderup's performances have undoubtedly raised his profile. If Premier League clubs decide to revive their previous interest, the Portuguese side are now in a far stronger position than they were when they signed him from Nordsjælland. The coming weeks could determine whether his World Cup becomes the launchpad for another major move.
Could Andreas Schjelderup be the next Scandinavian star to make the jump to the Premier League?
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