Norway in the World Cup has shocked the whole world besides those who follow the Premier League. – They have noticed that Norway has a complete team, with players like Erling Braut Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Sander Berge, Oscar Bobb, Kristoffer Ajer and Jørgen Strand Larsen.
What stunned the English media before the World Cup started was the choice of national team manager Ståle Solbakken’s choice to include the clubless Premier League flop Ørjan Nyland in the squad. – No one questions it anymore…
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English media in shock! – Can’t believe that this is the same Ørjan Nyland who played in the Premier League
Norway is gearing up for the quarter-finals against England on Saturday.
Considered Norway’s weakest link in the World Cup squad. Without match training, marked by injuries and bench wear in Seville. Clubless just before the championship. This was the starting point for Ørjan Nyland. After the last eight, the same man has sent supporters, journalists and “experts” into shock. Spanish El Mundo referred to Nyland’s performance against Brazil as one of the best in the World Cup – while a journalist in Birmingham literally had to reach for his chest.
Between 2018 and 2020, Ørjan Nyland was part of the Aston Villa squad in Birmingham. The stay ended with 36 games – of which only seven were in the Premier League.
The local newspaper Birmingham Live had to dig up memories from Nyland’s time at the club after the phenomenal match against the world’s biggest football nation, Brazil.
Here is the entertaining article about the Norwegian:
“Aston Villa supporters must have scratched their heads when they saw Ørjan Nyland’s performance against Brazil on Sunday night. Was it really the same goalkeeper that Steve Bruce brought to Aston Villa eight years ago?”
“Most Villa fans – known for their starring role in the Hawkeye controversy as the Premier League returned from the Covid-19 break – must have been sitting with their chins on the floor. The Norwegian had more disappointing moments than impressive during his time at Villa, although a crucial penalty save against Swansea City on Boxing Day and his performance against Leicester in the Carabao Cup semi-finals remain bright spots.”
“Few would admit that they have followed Nyland’s career since his contract was terminated in October 2020 – and even fewer would have expected the 35-year-old to play such a crucial role in sending Brazil out of the World Cup in the last eight. Nyland saved Bruno Guimarães’ penalty in the 14th minute – one of four saves that night – and prevented 0.76 expected goals (xG).”
“Next challenge for Nyland: England and Harry Kane – one of the world’s most dangerous strikers, together with the goalkeeper’s own Norwegian teammate Erling Haaland. The former Hødd and Molde goalkeeper became Villa’s third signing in the summer of 2018 – one week after André Moreira arrived on loan from Atlético Madrid, and one day before John McGinn completed his transfer from Hibernian.”
“Nyland made 36 appearances for Villa in all competitions – including the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City at Wembley. His performance against Leicester in the semi-finals was arguably his best in a Villa shirt, and perhaps one of the best of his career. Dean Smith’s side needed a number of saves from the Norwegian, including a magnificent one-handed save that snuck Youri Tielemans’ shot into the crossbar in the 34th minute.”
“We owe Ørjan Nyland a big thank you. He had three fantastic saves – two down, and one on the crossbar. Absolutely great. He’s really given me a dilemma, but he’s a player I want to include,” said then-Villa manager Dean Smith.
“Then the Achilles tendon ruptured in the Championship. Jed Steer came in and did well, I picked up Tom Heaton, and Nyland had to bite the time. Then, unfortunately, he faced a very good Man City team – and they scored six. Then Pepe Reina came in and did well.”
“It was actually a torn Achilles tendon that put an early end to Nyland’s first season at the club. After Lovre Kalinić’s short stay, the injury opened the door for Jed Steer to write himself into Aston Villa history. After the promotion, Tom Heaton’s arrival prevented Nyland from taking back his place – and Pepe Reina was eventually brought in to replace Heaton after his long-term injury.”
After leaving Villa four years ago, Nyland said:
“I want to thank Aston Villa for fulfilling my childhood dream of playing in the Premier League. Together we have shared wonderful memories I will remember for the rest of my life – helping the club back to where it belongs, staying up, and a cup final at Wembley.
Now, after the game of his life against Brazil, Nyland’s next task is to shock England – and prove a point to those Villa fans who honestly never saw this remarkable revival coming.
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We can already see it in our minds: Ørjan Nyland denies Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham goals – much to England’s frustration – and thus prolongs the suffering of a country that has not won the World Cup in 60 years.
Manchester United are not on the hunt for a goalkeeper this summer, at least not a first goalkeeper like they have in Senne Lammens. – They are very pleased, but like the rest of the world, they have seen Ørjan Nyland’s performances in the World Cup, especially the match against Brazil. Already, several Premier League clubs are following Nyland who have washed off the flop image. – Leeds are already in contact with the Norwegian national team goalkeeper’s people, as have several other clubs in Europe.
If Norway wins over England on Saturday, Ørjan Nyland will be extremely sought after. “The fact that he is well grown up and experienced is seen as a huge plus in a Premier League season that will be tougher than ever. The signal from Old Trafford has changed in recent days. “If Nyland is going to the Premier League, he is going to Manchester United”
Sky Sports reports that Tottenham, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester City and Arsenal are considering Ørjan Nyland as the first goalkeeper, most as a good second.
Now we have come to the tenderloin of the World Cup: Complete match schedule – all dates, results and the road to the final
