Cardiff captain surprised by Dæhlis rebuke - I think he liked it a little too, says the 19- year-old.
It's only three days since Mats Moller Dæhli 19th birthday , but he has already distinguished himself in Cardiff with several good runs in the Premier League.
The Norwegian has been fearless and demanded the ball - and even been bold enough to rebuke Cardiff captain Mark Hudson ( 31) only minutes into his debut against Bolton.
Hudson could hardly believe what he heard as a " whippersnapper " from Norway gave notice that he had to break the front a little more often.
- I got a little message from our captain against Bolton, when I said he had to break the front. I was perhaps a little too eager. But that 's how I am , I go in and am myself . If I'm not myself, I can not be as good as I have the potential to be, says Dæhli to TV 2 Sport.
- What did Hudson say to you ?
- I got a clear message that I was young . That, I just had to take. But I think he liked it too , said the 19- year-old with a grin on his face.
There has never been any doubt about the football qualities of Dæhli . The close control and nimble feet, there is hardly anyone in Norwegian football that can match.
But some people have been curious about how he would handle such a physically robust league as the Premier League. So far the answer has been encouraging - and Dæhli work daily to become stronger.
- I try to go to the gym to get stronger all the time. I go almost every day after training. I work mostly with getting stronger in my legs, so I can resist more. It's something that comes with time. I do not feel that it has been a big problem.
Silva is the modelThe role model of his position is the Manchester City playmaker David Silva .
- I try to watch and learn from the best in my position. David Silva is extremely good at shielding the ball. That's the kind of level I need to reach, he says .
For Dæhli, it is also a great motivation to see how Manchester United comet Adnan Januzaj has taken the Premier League by storm. The two were part of the same team at the United Academy, and in 2012 it was Dæhli who was named this year's academy players.
- Adnan is also extremely good to shield and use his body. I remember when I trained with him, he shields the ball in a completely different way. It is very inspiring to watch him. We got to know eachother well during my United time. The way he thinks about football and how fearless he is inspires me a lot. In that sense he was a great role model. He does not turn football too advanced, but plays his own game. I have to do the same thing to reach my potential.
- You were named this year's Academy plays in front Januzaj in 2012 ?
- Yes, but he was a little bit injured that season. But we have always been equally good in training, and then he took a very sudden jump last season and this one. Viewing how he does it in the Premier League is very enjoyable. That is definitely something I also want to achieve, says Dæhli .
Teammate Magnus Wolff Eikrem explains that the Cardiff players have been surprised over Dæhlis freshness and quality.
- He has come in and been fantastic good in training as well. I think people were a little surprised. He scores a lot of goals there as well, is confident with the ball and a little, tricky dribbler. It is very enjoyable to see. He does not care, he just goes out there and play football as a little boy. Mats has been very good for us, says Eikrem.
Runs a lot during matchesRecently, in an FA Cup game against Wigan, Dæhli for the first time in his career got see how many miles he put back during a football game.
The number astounded both coaches and 19 -year-old himself .
- I scored quite high. I ran 13.5 km and it is the first time I know how much I have ran in a match.
- It sounds like an extreme number?
- It was certainly a good score. I think it was interesting to get feedback on , say Dæhli .
Source:
http://www.tv2.no/2014/03/05/sport/fotb ... xcKWvl5PX8