Sverre Nypan has opened up on the early shock he got after completing a loan move to Middlesbrough from Manchester City.
Speaking in an interview while back in Norway over the past ten days where he would receive a promotion and make his senior international debut, the prospect admits he found his early training sessions at Middlesbrough overwhelming. That’s largely because of the intensity that Rob Edwards demanded.
But the 18-year-old, who joined Boro after City sought English league experience for the highly-rated starlet after his £12.5m summer switch from Rosenberg, feels he’s already benefiting from his time at Boro.
Speaking to Norwegian outlet Nettavisen, Nypan said: “I remember the first training there, I was running around and could hardly think! You had to get up under pressure and run as much as you could. Gradually it becomes normal, the metres you have to cover become a habit.
“Then you are able to calm your head down a bit and start thinking, at the same time as you cover the metres you have to. I feel like I am making progress every day. It is important to get pace in your game, that is what I am after. I feel I have already taken some steps up in terms of fitness and have more steps to take
“Demands are set and that’s actually nice. It’s very educational and something I needed. I’m learning a lot from it. It was something I needed and part of the reason why I went there. I don’t like to think that far into the future. I’ll take this season here with Middlesbrough, and we’ll see what happens.”
Nypan was one of five Boro players away on international duty over the last week or so, if you include Law McCabe, who’s currently on loan at Plymouth Argyle. Below, we round-up how they got on.
Sverre Nypan - Norway
It’s been a superb week for Nypan. While Norway’s under-21s were beaten 4-1 by Spain at the end of last week in a friendly, the 18-year-old was given the honour of captaining his country. With more senior players such as Erling Haaland then sent home early, Nypan was promoted to the senior squad this week.
He subsequently earned his first senior cap for Norway in Tuesday evening’s 1-1 draw with New Zealand in Oslo. He came off the bench for the final ten minutes of the game.
Sontje Hansen - Curacao
Nypan was the only Boro player making his international bow this month. Having switched his allegiance, Sontje Hansen was included in the Curacao squad for the very first time. He then made his debut last week as they beat World Cup-qualifying group leaders Jamaica, currently managed by Steve McClaren.
Hansen played the first 45 minutes of the 2-0 win but was then an unused sub in the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK time) as they drew 1-1 with Trinidad and Tobago. It leaves them second in the group, one point behind Jamaica in the race for World Cup qualifying.
David Strelec - Slovakia
It was a mixed week for Strelec and Slovakia, but most importantly, they kept their qualification hopes alive. Defeat to Northern Ireland last week meant they surrendered their position at the top of the qualification group to Germany.
But they then beat Luxembourg 2-0 on home turf to ensure they stay second in the group, three points ahead of Northern Ireland, and behind Germany on goal difference. Two games remain in qualifying with the team in top spot heading to next summer’s World Cup, and second involved in qualification play-offs. Strelec played 89 minutes in Belfast and then 82 minutes on Tuesday.
Aidan Morris - USA
Back in the USA squad after almost a year’s absence, Morris added two more caps to his CV this month. In friendlies as the USA have automatically qualified for the World Cup as a host nation, Morris played 73 minutes of the draw with Ecuador . He was described as ‘ambitious’ throughout and won more duels than any other player.
He then came on as a late sub in the early hours of Tuesday morning for the friendly win over Australia, playing the final 14 minutes. Both he and Hansen now have long trips back over the Atlantic to be ready for Boro’s clash with Ipswich on Friday evening.
Law McCabe - England U20s
Having started well in his loan spell at Plymouth, McCabe was back with England’s under-20s this week. And the good news for Boro is that Plymouth’s number of internationals meant they were able to postpone their scheduled match last weekend, ensuring McCabe, who’s started their last four, hasn’t missed anything.
With England, after the honour of training with the senior team during last month’s camp, he played in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Switzerland at St George’s Park. McCabe played the full 90 minutes in the game.
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