– Has been tagged – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
– It is important to see that Ståle knows how he wants to play, and he can use games that suit him best. But I have been a little surprised, in fact, that Iver has not been with me before. Ståle knows Iver well, and when he is in such good development, it has been a bit marked.
Inge André Olsen tells NRK. The former Stabæk leader is now sports manager for Aalborg and follows Fossum’s development more closely than most.
He was happy when Solbakken, for the first time as Norwegian national team manager, recently took out Fossum in his squad.
– Absolutely excellent
The midfielder was brought in as a replacement when Fredrik Midtsjø had to report due before this national team gathering.
Inge André Olsen believes that they have first and foremost handled a tactical choice from Solbakken.
– But we see it in Denmark, when you play with three in the middle, I am absolutely excellent. Now he has to say it to the national team and show that he has also performed well in training there and can start some of the matches, Olsen says.
Norway will meet Turkey in Istanbul on Friday night and Montenegro at Ullevaal on Monday night.
Solbakken believes that there are several grounds why Fossum has not been taken out before. First and foremost, the Norway boss thinks it’s about him having a lot to choose from in the middle.
– He has been a very good points player for Aalborg, and he has, so I have been here, been part of the gross troops, which were sent out in advance of withdrawals. But it’s an extreme competitive situation in the central midfield, and that’s where he’s at his best. He is not an edge player, says Solbakken to NRK.
As is well known, Fossum was used on the edge in several matches under Lars Lagerbäck.
– What kind of qualities does he have that you like?
– He is good at running in the field, he is good at smelling goals, he is loyal and has good lungs, Solbakken answers.
– He’s pretty extreme
Olsen believes Fossum now deserves a second chance with the flag on his chest. No game was found for Norway in the 2-1 victory away against Malta in 2019.
– I think he deserves it. To be honest. Iver has been good to us for a long time. It is a player who also does the invisible job, says Olsen.
– He is probably the player in the Super League who runs the most high-intensity meters. He is quite extreme on some parameters. He scored goals last year as well, but now he gets chances in every game. He is a very interesting player, I also think that Norway will need, says Olsen.
– What kind of reputation does he have in Denmark now?
– In Aalborg he has a high star. At the same time, it is a player who is in the top 10 in Denmark this season of offensive players. But that’s what’s so great about Iver – you also use him in the constructive game. He has such a great capacity that even though he is in the constructive game, you know he is in the box when the posts come. He is completely, completely up in the top company in the Super League, Olsen believes.
Fossum left Norway early and tried his luck in the German Bundesliga in 2015. He got 37 games in the Bundesliga and 25 games in the 2nd Bundesliga for Hanover, but never really broke through.
In February 2019, he chose to continue his career in Danish football and signed for Aalborg.
Believe in a new professional adventure
Although Fossum did not succeed completely and completely last, Inge André Olsen believes that Fossum can quickly get new opportunities in one of the best leagues.
– The chance is great for that. It’s all about performance, and as he has evolved in the new waste system, I think it fits like a glove. If he continues to perform well, the chances come, Olsen says.
He reveals that it has already been interesting.
– Iver is in a good place, but it was a bid for him this summer, and there will probably be new bids this winter, Olsen thinks.
– From where?
– They come from what we in Denmark call abroad, he answers.
Iver Fossum has not been available to the press so far this national team collection. He has therefore not been able to comment on this case.
With four matches left of the group stage in World Cup qualification, Norway is in a preliminary second place with its 13 points, the same as group leader Nederland, that points ahead of Friday’s opponent Turkey.
With a victory in Istanbul, Solbakken’s men will secure a solid grip around second place, which gives a playoff to the World Cup in Qatar. With losses, it suddenly looks much more difficult.
The winner of the group is known to go directly to the World Cup, while the tournament will go into playoff matches from March 24 to 29, 2022. There will be 12 teams, the group winners from this qualification and the best Nations League teams, about the last World Cup the tickets.
The championship itself will be played in Qatar in November and December 2022.