Andreas Schjelderup was advised to leave Benfica, says Norway coach | OneFootball

Norway manager Stale Solbakken says he advised Andreas Schjelderup to leave Benfica due to scarce minutes, only for the winger’s form to reshape the situation later in the season.

“In January we talked about him needing to change club because his game time was minimal,” he said on NRK’s Vamos ao Mundial.

“Then he suddenly had a chance against Real Madrid, he scored and any sale by Benfica was ruled out.” At that time he had been close to joining Club Brugge.

“You do not like so much negative attention on you, especially before two of the national team’s most important matches,” Schjelderup said, recalling November 2025 while still fighting for a place.

“I am grateful for how Stale Solbakken and the lads looked after me and supported me. When the worst of the storm passes, you almost forget it. With the national team you are in a bubble, it is a very good group.”

This season for Benfica, Schjelderup, valued at 30 million euros, played 43 times, 28 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 10 in the Liga dos Campeões, four in the Taça de Portugal and one in the Taça da Liga. Across 2,548 minutes he delivered 10 goals and seven assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904