Scout report: Eliteserien’s hottest prospects
Eliteserien has been a breeding ground for some of football’s biggest stars.
Most notably, Erling Haaland, previously of Molde, and former Strømsgodset midfielder Martin Ødegaard have continued to set the Premier League alight.
The 2024 campaign is set to bring more youngsters to the limelight, so we used the Twenty3 Toolbox to find the players to watch in Norway’s top flight.
Albert Grønbæk
All-action Bodø/Glimt midfielder Albert Grønbæk is overdue a blockbuster move.
The 22-year-old scored nine goals and provided six assists in the 2023 Eliteserien campaign — ranking ninth in the division for total goal contributions.
He frequently makes late runs into the box, which worked to great effect last term. He registered 143 touches inside the opposition area and had 68 efforts on goal.
An elusive, tricky customer, Grønbæk is confident in possession. He completed 93 of his 163 dribble attempts — third-most in the league in 2023.
The Risskov native is blessed with excellent vision and uses it to pick out team-mates — evidenced by his tally of 28 assisted shots on target and 26 successful key passes.
Grønbæk is playing at a high level and, in turn, attracting attention from clubs around Europe.
Faniel Tewelde
Forward Faniel Tewelde impressed for Odd last season.
In 681 minutes of Eliteserien football, the 17-year-old recorded five goals — the joint-third most among players aged 21 and under.
The Norwegian youngster showed an urgency to shoot in the final third, averaging 2.51 shots per 90 and 0.79 on target per 90.
He is especially threatening in counter-attacking situations, often taking advantage of his breakneck pace to distance himself from markers.
Even at top speed, Tewelde has enough poise and control to breeze past defenders. In 2023, he completed 2.38 dribbles and 3.17 progressive runs per 90.
He has looked particularly effective on the left wing, regularly cutting inside onto his stronger right foot.
The speedster is an exciting prospect and will be aiming to develop further in the upcoming Eliteserien campaign.
Vetle Egeli
Sandefjord left-back Vetle Egeli is one of the more polished prospects in this list.
The 20-year-old was not solely in the team for his defensive attributes last season — he ranked top among Eliteserien players under the age of 21 for shots assisted (32) and through balls completed (10).
But Egeli stands out from his younger competitors as an out-and-out defender.
Playing for a Sandefjord side that only narrowly avoided relegation, he averaged 6.46 interceptions and 5.44 defensive duels won per 90.
His irrepressible work ethic often means he makes tackles in advanced areas — he completed 86 ball recoveries in the opponent’s half last term.
Astute at both ends of the pitch, Egeli has all the tools to develop into a complete modern full-back.
Sverre Nypan
Sverre Nypan has been touted as one of Norway’s next big talents — and it is clear to see why.
The 17-year-old central midfielder played a crucial role for Rosenborg in the 2023 season, registering five goals and one assist.
He is smooth in possession and often looks to break through the opposition’s defensive lines with incisive passes.
No player aged 21 or under attempted more intelligent passes (22) than Nypan, and he led his position among age-mates for dribbles completed (35).
The Norwegian is an accomplished ball carrier, too, illustrated by his 42 progressive runs.
Nypan’s physique is also helpful out of possession. No central midfielder in the division attempted more pressing duels per 90 minutes (8.35) last year.
A midfielder with all the technical and physical attributes to succeed, Nypan is certainly one to watch for the future.
All visualisations in this article were produced with the Twenty3 Toolbox. For more information, please get in touch below.