Magnus Eikrem - The Perspective (Norwegian insideinfo)

Hallæ! Im a Norwegian Man Utd fan (…again) just really wanted to share some thoughts with you. First of… congratulations on getting Solskjær as your new manager. Im sure he will help you secure your spot in the PL, and make u all very happy.

Ofcourse…Eikrem hasn't proved a lot in a big league so you should manage your expectations. He should however be a great addition to your squad, going pretty cheap, low risk. He may never get to be a regular in the first team, or he might step his game up and become a fan favorite.

In his time at United he was one of the "almost-players". Showed great ability of passing and shooting, as well as being a playmaker and maestro of the game. He was an important player in the reserves team and served as captain there as well. Scored a few screamers! Although he was a very promising talent, what held him back a bit and probably stopped his chances of getting into the first team was his physique. He had troubles at age 16 when he got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, he was very sick and lost a lot of weight somewhere in that period i belive. Sir Alex visited him at the hospital and lifted his spirits when he told him that its possible to combine having diabetes and playing football on the highest level. He told him about Gary Mabutt, a 1980s Spurs captain and England international. He also told him about a few tennis players that had been succesfull, even with the diagnosis. It meant a lot to Eikrem and it gave him a more positive outlook on the future, THEN he worked his way into the reserves squad. He is a true inspiration for other young people/players who might suffer from the disease.

He's a humble lad aswell. After years performing outstanding in the reserves, as you know he left the club with Solskjær and did well in Norway. The important thing to accept with this lad at this moment in time is that he might need time to adjust to the highest level, but its a good chance he will reach his full potential for you here at Cardiff in a couple of years. He definitly has the potential to be a top player and you might have to sell him in a couple of years (even tho i expect him to be loyal)

Eikrem can play as a creative holding midfielder or you might call it; the deep-lying playmaker role. He know how to tackle but is definitly more forward minded and not so much of a box-to-box midfielder neither. I honestly don't think hes ready to play as a central midfielder along with Medel in a 4-4-2, if so happens… your wingers should help out defending… But it might work, depending on how quick and defensive Medel is (im not sure). By next season, maybe a year or so, that central duo might be dangerous good. A defensive + a playmaker, it sounds good atleast. But as i said, i don't think he's ready. I think he will have to play with 2 alongside him. Or he might be playing in the secondary striker position some matches. I think that might be something that could work, him picking out passes through defenders with Campbell going on runs. Could be deadly, perfect position to fire off longshots too.

I will tell you why I don't think he will get a lot of games this season playing only alongside Medel in a 4-4-2. The reason is the tempo. He is not a box to box midfielder as of yet, his pace is not bad, but not particulary good neither. In the Premier League, you do need a good amount of pace, or could do well with strength, especially as a central midfielder. These 2 things is not his best qualities. The transtition (adjusting period) might be really hard if playing in that position. He's faults might be more evident to the unknowing eye and overshadow his qualities and potential. The reason he might struggle playing in the Premier League is not however his football brain, but the tempo-switches and such. I have to say he has made tremendous progress on his strength and defensive abilities the last 2 years and I belive he is brought in as a future central-midfielder for the club, but for the moment i can totally see him playing as a CAM.

Here is 2 of his stunning goals playing for the Man Utd reserves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbsQg8_tbOo

"He's waved his magic wand again" (his face do have some resemblance to that of Lord Voldermorts- or maybe the werewolf? idk)

I don't think Solskjær will pick a bunch of Norwegian players for the sake of it, but if you are interested in a few prospects that might well end up in Cardiff if they step it up a bit. Here is 2.

Omar Elabdellaoui - He is a 22 Year-old and plays in a right back position for Bundesliga team Eintracht Braunschweig. He debuted for the Norwegian national team last year, and has played every game since. He got the chance after an impressive run for the U21's where he played a vital part in Norway securing Silver in the Uefa Euro's u21 tournament. Actually, i think he sometimes is used as a box-to-box midfielder for the German team too. He definitely has displayed great signs of quality as a right back for Norway.

He is still young and may very well develop into a fantastic modern right back. I think he should be a real attractive prospect to mid-table Premier League sides. I will tell you why… He has pace, I mean, A LOT of pace… Im not sure how fast he is, but he might keep up with the likes of Walcott. He performed well against topsides like Dortmund where the likes of Reus and Abameyang didn't get past him once. He is built compact and strong, being 5ft10. He's the type of player that gives everything for his team and never stops running because of his amazing stamina. He used to be a "driblewing" which he loves to surprise defenders with when he goes forward. Been seen to do a few rabonas, stepovers, reverse elastico's and such. He is somewhat of a creative player too with decent vision -not minding picking out a pass. (as to why he plays CAM sometimes)
Defensively he has an aggressive approach, and uses his pace the best way to stop defenders early, not just to make up for mistakes, but with his pace he can do that too. (reminds me of a young Ashley Cole, but probably closer now to where Walker was a couple years ago.) He still has a lot to learn defensively, especially if he's gonna reach the top level.
I love this guy, its fun to watch him because you never know what hes gonna do taking on defenders, as well as i admire the non-stop-mentality he has. Oh, did I forget to mention his crosses is great too?
(He is kinda a combination of Rafaels defensive aggressiveness, Valencia's pace & power and Nanis driblingskills.) I wouldn't mind let him have a go in our squad to compete with Rafael. (certainly better than Smalling & Valencia on right back)

My thoughts is that if he moves to a Premier League team in the summer, he will continue his development as a right back, because he is a very determined and hardworking person, only wanting to get better. And what better way to develop your play than Premier League experience. He's gonna need a lot of games BUT THIS PLAYER has everything you need to play in the Premier League, as far as physicality. I just can't see him stop developing unless a bad injury occurred, especially if he got the Premier League experience.

Another player that is kinda interesting is:

Joshua King, left wing, plays for Blackburn, but can also serve as striker or a right winger. He's however best playing on the left because of his amazing pace and strength, taking on defenders with his wonderful teqnique. He is fast, and very strong and hard to push of the ball. Just like Eikrem and Dæhli, he was in the Man Utd Academy too having a kinda similar story to Eikrem in some regards. He was also an "almost player" for us… His "Achilles heel" would be just that.. his achillesheel, no im kidding but he is injury prone, and might be struggling with playing 90 minutes every week due to his asma. That aside, this player has great potential if he takes the right steps in to the future. The 21 year old might be a solid member of a mid-to-top-table Premier League side in a couple of years.

Anyways… Sorry for probably some misspelling and a few bad grammar choices. Good luck into the future, blues!

It's good to read some comments that try to temper the enthusiasm. Sometimes fans get overly excited about new players who they haven't seen and judge him based on inflated expectations. Thanks for the analysis.

Welcome to the Cardiff City forum

Cheers for posting that. A good insight, I hope he can step up and really contribute.

Wow. The Norwegians are bloody amazing.

Loving these posts.

^

it's an absolutely brilliant post

thanks very much indeed for taking the time

Thank you for the information, my only worry is as you said he is one for the future, we already have enough of them, we are needing players who can perform now to help us steer clear of the drop zone.

I've been a diabetic since I was 27 and Gary Mabbut was an inspiration to me at the time.Probably make a model pro.Thanks for the read-excellent.

Cheers mate sounds like one for the future, understandable at 2.5mil (Que Cornelius reference)

Thanks for taking a lot of time out to post this interesting read mate!

No problem! Happy to contribute. Exiting times