Andreas Schjelderup has been linked with a move to Liverpool, with the winger having previously turned down a move to Anfield in 2020 before catching the eye at the World Cup
Jose Mourinho looks on
Jose Mourinho is a fan of Andreas Schjelderup(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
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Jose Mourinho delivered a glowing verdict on Andreas Schjelderup's progression at Benfica - a player Liverpool are said to be tracking at the World Cup. The now-Real Madrid manager had previously praised the winger's transformation under his stewardship in Lisbon, having been considerably less flattering about Schjelderup's performances earlier in the campaign.
According to Tutto Mercato, Liverpool are amongst a number of European sides keeping tabs on Schjelderup's development - having impressed for Norway at the World Cup. Tottenham, Atletico Madrid and Italian pair AC Milan and Como are also understood to be observing him closely.
It's not the first occasion he has been connected with Anfield, either, with the winger previously disclosing he rejected a switch to the Reds in 2020. Several years on, Schjelderup is an entirely different proposition - one Mourinho described as 'nothing comparable' to the version he inherited when he assumed control at Benfica in September.
"Schjelderup is Schjelderup - he struggles for 90 minutes, he struggles with intensity and the sacrifice of transitions," Mourinho had said at the beginning of his spell.
The Norwegian didn't see his game time increase until the new year, when he began to feature more consistently from kick-off. Schjelderup made 20 starts in Liga Portugal from a potential 34, registering seven goals and six assists, and finished the season with 43 appearances in all competitions.
By the final fixture of the campaign, Mourinho had altered his view of the 22-year-old.
During a press conference before the concluding match of the Portuguese season against Estoril in May, Mourinho said: "Look, I spoke to him yesterday or the day before and said that he had a lot of reasons to be very proud of himself.
"Comparing the Schjelderup of months ago with the Schjelderup of today is impossible. There's no point of comparison, the only thing that's the same is that boyish face... He's still unshaven, his face is the same, that baby face is the same.
Andreas Schjelderup
Andreas Schjelderup has been linked with Liverpool(Image: Valter Gouveia/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
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"Neither from a physical point of view, nor from a tactical point of view, nor from a mental point of view, there's nothing comparable. I'd say that this kid, if he continues to develop in this way, will surely be a real talent and I'd say a great, great, great talent."
At the age 16, Schjelderup acknowledged it hadn't been a straightforward choice to reject a switch to Anfield, choosing instead to sign for FC Nordsjaelland in July 2020.
Bayern Munich and Juventus were also interested, with the youngster having spent time on trial at both clubs.
Speaking about his choice, the youngster said: "Of course, it was a bit hard (turning down Liverpool), because when you grow up, you watch the big names and then you hear that they want you, so your head starts to spin. But I got a lot of help from my father and agents, who helped me make the right decision.
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"It hurt a little bit for me and my dad in our hearts (not to join Liverpool), but the move here was instead of going to an academy at under-19 or under-17 level. It felt like this step in the ocean was the right one for me. I was in the under-19s team when I got started, but I knew when I was ready that I could take a step up to the first team.
"But at the club, they said they didn't expect me to get there this quick! I planned to do it sooner than they thought, and my plan worked. Of course, maybe I can go to a big team in the future. In the long run, for me, this was the best step. When I am ready, I will take the next step."
At the World Cup, Schjelderup has been lining up alongside Erling Haaland, though his contributions have come from the bench during Norway's victories over Iraq and Senegal. Their 3-2 triumph over Senegal in the early hours of Tuesday secured their place in the round of 32, with Haaland netting twice.
He remains under contract at Benfica until the summer of 2028.