Former Benfica striker Azar Karadas sees “a lot of potential” in Andreas Schelderup, the Norway winger signed from Nordsjylland, from Denmark. However, it leaves a caveat about the adaptation of the youngster, who has embodied SAD spending 9 million euros in fixed, plus 5 million in variables. “Benfica has impatient supporters who demand a lot,” he asserts. Karadas, 41, is not surprised by Benfica’s bet on Schelderup. “The club has a good prospecting network in different markets. Scandinavian football is on the rise. The Norwegian players are good. It is not surprising that they are looking to the Nordic countries,” he says, in remarks republished by Eurosport.
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The coach now also points out: “They are very good with young players. They give them confidence and the opportunity to develop. They earn large sums of money from selling players and have good sporting results to show in national competitions and in the Champions League.”
When asked how Schelderup would handle the level of Portuguese football, the former striker said: “It’s not easy to answer!” The 18-year-old winger has signed a contract valid until 2028 for the Eagles, protected by a £120m cap.
Afterwards, the former striker recalled that Schelderup “did very well in Denmark”. He arrived in Luz having scored 10 goals in 17 games for Nordsjylland, having not played since November. “It is possible that Benfica will have a plan for the future. When you spend this much money, it can be an important project for the club.”
Schilderup joins midfielder Frederik Osserns, another Norwegian at Benfica, signed at the start of the season from Feyenoord. “Ursense has played very well since his arrival. I have confidence that they can help the club develop and that they can progress themselves. You never know. Benfica have supporters who are impatient and demand a lot, but they have a lot of potential.”
Caradas signed with Benfica in the summer of 2004, joining the team that became national champions under Giovanni Trapattoni. With six goals scored in 36 games played in 2004/05, the former striker understood the scale and level of demand of the Reds.
“It’s a club that arouses a lot of interest. I would say it’s the club that is most interested in Portugal. It’s an absurd amount of commitment to the club and it means a lot to a lot of people. Benfica always wants to win, so it can be a bit difficult to lose them,” he affirms.
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