“Schjelderup is getting too big for Portuguese football.” This statement came from Record Editor-in-Chief Luís Pedro Sousa on Friday. Benfica are working hard to persuade the 22-year-old to continue in the league he has played his way into as one of the big stars, but if we are to believe Sousa, the natural way forward is to one of the biggest leagues.
Schjelderup has been linked to Barcelona and Liverpool, and in July there were also strong signals from Portugal that Tottenham were expected to make a move. With a buyout clause of 100 million euros and a Benfica that does not want to lose its Norwegian ball artist, Schjelderup stayed with Benfica.
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“Andreas is fundamental for Benfica and the way we want to play. He came from a good World Cup and was not in the pre-season. We are building him up carefully,” Benfica’s new coach Marco Silva said at the beginning of August.
Fundamentalsfor Benfica.
The Portuguese editor-in-chief draws an analysis of the situation midway through September.
“Benfica should make an effort to try to extend the contract with Schjelderup, so that the day Schjelderup leaves the club, Benfica is repaid as high a value as possible. This is what it’s all about. They (other big stars in the Portuguese league) reach such a high level that it is no longer possible to get them to stay here. Either for financial reasons or because of the player’s own, legitimate ambition,” says Sousa.
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Who senses that the speed of Schelderup’s development and deliveries in the match arena will make it difficult for Benfica to keep the Norwegian.
“Benfica should make an effort to keep Schjelderup. But they will not be able to perform any miracle if Schjelderup’s development continues as we are now seeing,” says the Portuguese.
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The 22-year-old started the season with limited playing time after the World Cup. Against Moreirense, he got his chance from the start – and responded with a goal and two assists.
