Schjelderup shines for Benfica, Mourinho eyes special project | OneFootball

Andreas Schjelderup is experiencing a positive phase at Benfica and has been gaining prominence in recent weeks. The 21-year-old winger decided the match against Gil Vicente (1-2) in Barcelos, by scoring the winning goal for the Eagles, in a moment that confirms the evolution of the Norwegian international under the guidance of José Mourinho.

This improvement in performance comes after specific work conducted by the Benfica coach throughout the season. According to information gathered by the newspaper A Bola, the Special One has closely monitored the player, focusing on boosting his confidence and mental development, seeking to maximize his qualities on the pitch.

Among the aspects worked on is the way the winger attacks spaces in the final third. The coaching staff identified that his usual dribble from the outside in was being easily neutralized by opponents and encouraged Schjelderup to diversify his movements, making him more unpredictable in offensive actions.

It should be recalled that Mourinho recently highlighted that the young Norwegian now shows better game reading and greater participation in the team’s pressing, making him an increasingly regular option in Benfica’s attack. “I think he is better today than he was a few months ago. One thing that is important for a player is for the player to feel that the coach likes him. It’s something important for self-esteem and self-confidence. He knows that I really like this Schjelderup and that I didn’t like at all the Schjelderup I found when I arrived,” emphasized the Benfica coach after the victory against Gil Vicente.

This season, playing for Benfica, Andreas Schjelderup – valued at 14 million euros – has already played a total of 33 official matches: 18 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 10 in the Champions League, four in the Portuguese Cup, and one in the League Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.