Young Players in Eliteserien

With only 1 game happening this midweek, that is Molde playing against Start on Wednesday, I thought I would take a look at something else this week.

There is no doubt that with the emergence of Haaland on to the world stage, and other young Norwegians popping up all over Europe, there has been an increased interest in Eliteserien, and in particular the talent that is here.

With that being the case, I thought I would pick out my five favourite under 21's currently playing in the league. They are in the shop window in the Eliteserien and no doubt their futures could lie outside of Norway.

5. Emil Konradsen Ceide (18) - Rosenborg

Rosenborg have no started this season well, but they have a few young players in the team that gives them some hope for the future. One of them is left winger Ceide, who made his debut last season, but has had an extended run in the team this year because of an injury to Sammy Adegbenro. 

He is quick and very direct, playing on the left hand side, the right footer can come inside but is usually better going down the outside with his pace. The youngster from the North of Norway has a lot to learn, and it looks like he is a very quiet boy on the pitch. 

A lot of talent, but his final delivery is definitely needing to improve, he often gets into good positions but isn't quite picking out his teammates yet.

4. Hugo Vetlesen (20) - Stabæk

Stabæk have started the season pretty well this year, and they have a young squad full of energy and quality. No doubt Emil Bohinen is the one being linked with moves away, but his midfield compatriot Hugo Vetlesen has really impressed me this year. 

His energy on the pitch is crucial to how the team plays, but not only that he has great close control, is aggressive with his pressing and challenging for the ball, and this season seems to have found an eye for goal that has been missing in previous seasons. 

Having turned 20 this year, he has nearly 100 league games under his belt for Stabæk, and now is one of the first names on the teamsheet. He makes late runs into the box which makes him tough to mark, and I can see him scoring more than the 3 he has already this season 

3. Joshua Kitolano (19) - Odd

One of three brothers currently playing in the top two divisions in Norwegian football, Joshua might well be the best of the three. Brother John is currently on loan at Molde from Wolves, Eric is at Ull/Kisa, but it is Joshua that looks like the biggest talent.

This season he has played in all 12 games so far for Odd, and his composure in central midfield is really impressive. He plays as an "indre løper" which translates roughly to inside runner. Part of the midfield 3 he plays on the right of it, and gets into advanced areas between defence and midfield of the opposition.

What really stands out for me is the way he receives the ball, so often on the half turn and always aware of players around him. He is hard to get off the ball, very strong for his age and height. 

He does need to become more of a goal scoring threat, although his two recent goals in a win over Mjøndalen are a sign of things to come hopefully. Having just turned 19, and already a regular for one of the best teams in Eliteserien, he could well be on the radar for many teams across Europe.

2. Ismaila Coulibaly (19) - Sarpsborg

Coulibaly made 5 starts in the league for Sarpsborg last year as an 18 year old, but he has already made 7 this season, having now started the last 7 games in a row for the club. The young Malian midfielder is another teenager that is dominating games from midfield, much like Kitolano.

He has three goals this season, and he has shown already that he is not afraid to take responsibility for creating and scoring goals for the team. He often picks up the ball on the each of the area and is looking to shoot or create for others.

Not afraid to take the ball in tight areas, he has very quick feet and has a good burst of speed over the first 5 yards. Playing as part of a two man central midfield, he has also taken on defensive responsibilities and showed he is more than willing to work hard and get stuck in for his team. 

He is an intelligent player that finds space between the lines, and is also smart enough defensively to cover areas in front of the back 3. Coulibaly is a player that will almost 100% not be at Sarpsborg next season, he looks like a real talent.

1. Jens Petter Hauge (20) - Bodø/Glimt

No surprises here, but it has been an incredible start to the year for Glimt, and a big part of that has been the incredible form of JP Hauge. Last season he didn't start a league game until gameweek 23, but this season he is undroppable.

He plays on the left wing although he is predominantly right footed. But he does a lot of good work down the outside, often getting by defenders with a beautiful stepover. 

He is more than happy working in tight areas too, often bouncing passes with Junker, Saltnes or Bjørkan, and he uses his pace to get in behind defences.

He has already been linked with moves away, he apparently turned down a move to Cercle Brugge in Belgium just last month, but there is no doubt this is a player in demand. It is easy to see why.

In 11 games so far this season he has 7 goals and 6 assists, it could easily have been even more. He should have scored in good chances missed in the last two games, something perhaps he can work on is his first time finishing.

Everyone knows about Hauge now, but he has a huge amount of potential, and somebody will be taking a chance on him this winter, after he could lead his hometown club to their first ever top flight title in Norway.

Other players worth a mention

Fredrik Bjørkan at Glimt is 21 years old, and is for me the best left back in the league. An outstanding engine, very good on the ball, can pass and cross very well, he is a huge talent that could do a job in most leagues.

Kristoffer Velde for Haugesund is another I like. The 20 year old is playing left wing and is Haugesunds biggest threat this season. He just scored a hattrick against Stabæk, and hopefully this kick starts his goalscoring for the season. Energetic, aggressive and an eye for goal, Velde is one to watch for the future too.

Christian Borchgrevink(21) at Vålerenga is a right back that has really impressed me this year. He takes all set pieces for Vålerenga and his delivery is usually spot on. His energy from right back is impressive, overlapping Aron Dønnum all day long. Pace might be an issue defensively, but he has looked like a really classy player this year for Vålerenga.

Finally a couple Molde players who have big potential to look at are Marcus Holmgren Pedersen(20) and Ola Brynhildsen(21). Pedersen played right back a lot so far this season, but can also play further forward. He is quick, and also very comfortable on the ball, and is very good 1 v 1 defensively too.

Brynhildsen came in from Stabæk this year after an impressive two years in Bærum. He plays left wing and cuts inside onto his right foot. A very technical player, he hasn't quite got going at Molde, but it is only a matter of time. Very sharp and intelligent with his movement, Brynhildsen is for sure a future candidate for the national team.