Keep an eye on: Marcus 'Hulk' Solberg

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Photo: Allan Baden/Badenfoto.dk

  • Name: Marcus 'Hulk' Solberg
  • Age: 18 (17.02.1995)
  • Position: Striker
  • Club: AGF Aarhus
  • International caps:
    • Denmark U19
      • 6 matches / 2 goals
    • Denmark U18
      • 1 match / 0 goals
    • Denmark U17
      • 11 matches / 7 goals
    • Denmark U16
      • 5 matches / 2 goals
  • Value: £125.000

He was nicknamed 'Hulk' because of his superior physics as an U15-player, and is considered to be one of AGF Aarhus' greatest talents ever; This week we keep an eye on Marcus 'Hulk' Solberg.

Since Solberg joined AGF from one of the, in members biggest clubs in Denmark, HEI, in 2009 his development have only gone one way; up. Shortly after coming to the club he was named as one of the greatest talents in AGF and considered even a bigger talent than Morten 'Duncan' Rasmussen, former AGF and Celtic player.

Despite being praised as a future star in the Danish Superliga, the young talent is not resting on his laurels:

“Well, it is not something that I think about, the most important for me is to be focused on what I need to approve and my development.
“The most important was to work hard, and have a will to win; something I feel I have brought with me and used in AGF. If something hasn’t worked for me, I have just kept going," Hulk says and put words on what he needs to improve:
“As a striker you always need to develop your finish, and your play in and around the box.”
Being part of the Superliga squad in Aarhus means that Solberg is training with a group of current and former Danish internationals every day. One of them is the former Schalke and Toulouse striker Søren Larsen whom Solberg looks to learn from.
“I look at Søren Larsen, and especially how he works in front of goal when he meets a crossing, so I have learned a lot from him during training.
“He is good to give some tips on the training ground, as well as outside the pitch. I have been injured for a while, and he has been through the same," Solberg says.
It is not only the staff in Aarhus that have seen the potential in Solberg. Along with the talented goalkeeper Thomas Hagelskjær the striker went to Werder Bremen for a week's trial with the Bundesliga clubs' youth team. However, both players returned to Aarhus to continue their development in Denmark. In fact, Solberg finds the training in Aarhus just as good as what he experienced in Germany.

Former Denmark U19 manager Thomas Frank also saw the talents potential and promoted him to his squad after only one match for the Danish U18. It has so far resulted in 6 matches and 2 goals from the striker, who enjoys every minute in the national shirt.
“It is always great with the national team, and it is a great experience to play with some of the best in the country," Solberg says.
After been injured with a fiber explosion in the stomach region, Solberg is aiming to comeback on the highest level in Aarhus, where he feels he have something to contribute to the team. One thing is for sure; the 'Hulk' will fight for every chance to make it as a top striker in Denmark or abroad.








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Keep an eye on: Victor Nielsen

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Photo: AGF.DK
  • Name: Victor Nielsen
  • Age: 18 (08.03.1995)
  • Position: Right Back
  • Club: AGF U19
  • International Caps: 
    • Denmark U19
      • 2 matches
      • 0 goals
    • Denmark U18
      • 2 matches
      • 0 goals
  • Value: Unknown


He is 18-years old, and one of the prospects for the future in Aarhus GF. Furthermore, he has already made a move between two rivalling clubs! This week, we take a look at Victor Nielsen, an upcoming defender in the Danish Superliga.

It all started in Hasle Boldklub, the club of a small suburban town just outside the Danish metropolis Aarhus. Here, Victor Nielsen played football after school along with his mates. Later, Nielsen and two of his best friends took the next step and joined Skovbakken in Aarhus. After a couple of years in Skovbakken, the talent felt that he had achieved what he could with the small club:

“I had ambitions of more, and Skovbakken had been in a conflict with AGF because they didn’t want to be a farmer club. I knew that If I should take the next step it would be with Randers or AGF, and then I choose AGF,” Victor Nielsen says.


Three clubs are battling to be the best in Aarhus; AGF, Aarhus Fremad and Skovbakken. For many years, AGF has been the best club in the city , and they are currently playing in the Danish Superliga and is in many ways the “elder brother” among the clubs. Meanwhile, the clubs have always been rivals, so it wasn’t the most popular move Nielsen made when he decided to skip Skovbakken and move to AGF:

“There is always some... when we met Skovbakken for the first time, I could still shake their hands after the match, but there is always some who will be less fond of me after the change of clubs", Nielsen says.


In AGF, the talent was one of 11 new players - or as Nielsen puts it – 11 diva’s all wanting to play every match. Right from the start he felt the more competitive environment, but quickly managed to adapt to it. When he joined the club, he was a talented Wing, but after just six months he was repositioned as a back. His current coach in the AGF U19 squad, Claus Therkildsen says about Victor Nielsen:

“He has his speed and his eager to come forward on the pitch and help in the attacking play. That is definitely some of the things he has brought with him from his time as a winger. Furthermore, he strikes some excellent crossings, which is very significant.”


The talents abilities have also been noticed higher in the club, and Nielsen has so far played a couple of matches for the reserves. However, if you ask Therkildsen the only reason why Nielsen is not a part of the senior squad is that there currently are two players on his position. One of them is Alexander Juel - who Great Dane Football Blog earlier have written about – who was brought in this summer, and Victor Nielsen acknowledges that there still is some way to the top. However, Nielsen knows what it takes to become a professional footballer:

“I need to develop my attacking play much more because that is what makes me different from the others. I also need to use my speed – is a gift I have been given – and get even better in my defensive abilities.”


The coach is sure that his talent will make it if he can just add those extra 10% needed in his development and as you can see Nielsen is determined to reach his goal. When the author of this article finished off his interview with the player, he wished him luck and hoped to see him in the Danish Superliga in the future. “You will” was the answer.
 
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Follow up: Casper Sloth - five shot shooutout

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In relation to last weeks talent profile, Casper Sloth answers 5 questions from the twelve yard spot.

Who is your idol?

My idol is Cristiano Ronaldo. However, if you look at my position on the pitch, it will be Xavi and Iniesta from Barcelona. They play on the central midfield as I like to do, and they are truly talented.

What is your greatest moment as a football player?

It must be my debut for AGF against Esbjerg. I had played in AGF for many years and am from Aarhus, so I had always dreamed of playing for the club and have been on stadium when I was a child. It was a big day, when I had my debut. I have also played some youth national matches, but my debut and my first goal for AGF against Silkeborg are some of the greatest.

Who is the hardest opponent you have ever met?

It is a good question… We played an U18 national match against Spain, where we were driven round by the Spanish midfield. I can not remember the names of the players, but it was a hard team to play against. We lost with two or three goals.

Where are you ten years from now?

Hopefully, I am somewhere abroad. It is difficult to say where, but Holland would be a great place to start, and of course, I want to get further on from there. But I hope I am somewhere abroad and have played a few national matches for Denmark.

Who is your favorite club?

Manchester United.  Ever since, I was four or five, my father was a fan, and I have seen them with him, and I have followed them ever since.
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Keep an eye on: Casper Sloth

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              Name: Casper Sloth
               Age: 20 (26-03-1992)
          Position: Central Midfield
              Club: Aarhus GF (AGF),
                    Danish Superliga
             Debut: 7-12-2009 against
                    Esbjerg FB
International caps: Denmark U21:
                    3 match(es)
                    0 goal(s)
                    Denmark U20:
                    3 match(es)
                    2 goal(s)
                    Denmark U19:
                    3 match(es)
                    0 goal(s)
                    Denmark U18:
                    7 match(es)
                    0 goal(s)
                    Denmark U17:
                    12 match(es)
                    0 goal(s)
             Value: £350.000 (transfermarkt.co.uk) 


The U21 national player debuted for Aarhus GF in the Danish Superliga aged seventeen and has since played seventy three matches in the white shirt. This week’s talent profile features Casper Sloth, who has been named as one of the greatest talents in Denmark.

Sloth joined Aarhus GF from the Danish 2. Division club Brabrand IF in 2004, aged eleven and played his way up through the club's youth department. The midfielders career started running fast when he in 2008 had his debut on the Danish U17 national team against Ukraine in the Syrenka Cup. The year after he was a part of AGF’s first team squad and played for the club’s 2. Division team. Later that year he had his debut in the Superliga against Esbjerg, when he was sent on the pitch with fifteen minutes left. Aarhus GF Manager Peter Sørensen said about the player:
“He is a player with a great potential, which is beginning to be released. He is has great skills with the ball and a fine view for the game and where to play the ball and he has the potential to become both goal scorer and assist, but still lacks a little behind when it comes to win balls and become a bit more power in his duels if he is going to make it on the central midfield.” 

Casper Sloth scored his first and second goal for AGF in the Superliga match against Silkeborg IF in 2010. The same year, Aarhus, was relegated to the Danish 1. Division. The season in the lower division should help the player to have his breakthrough in the club. However, the season was ruined by injuries:

“It was not the best year. First I had an ankle injury, then I pulled a muscle, and it was limited how much I played while we were down in 1. Division. I am just happy that we were promoted for the season after.”

Late in 2010, Sloth was rumored to Herenveen by the Danish website AGFfan.dk, but the midfielder denied that he knew anything about it. However, the talent is open for a stay abroad and “Holland could be a great place to play, or Germany and the 1. Bundesliga”, leagues that player believes would “suit” him.

The Danish player has so far played twenty eight matches in the national shirt and sees the A-squad as a future possibility. However, the first aim is to get some more matches on the U21 team and Peter Sørensen advices the player to one step at a time: 

“He shall take time to develop his play further on those parameters where he can something special.”

Casper Sloth has so far played twenty three matches and scored no goals in this season, but he can change this today, when the club meets FC Norsjælland at 16.00.
                                      
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Keep an eye on: Thomas Hagelskjær

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Keep an eye on: Thomas Hagelskjær

              Name: Thomas Hagelskjær
               Age: 17 (04-02-1995)         
          Position: Goalkeeper
              Club: AGF (Aarhus GF), 
                    Danish Superliga
    Official debut: Still to come
International caps: Denmark U17: 6 match(es)
                                 0 goal(s)
                    Denmark U16: 3 match(es)
                                 0 goal(s)
             Value: Unknown


The talented goalkeeper Thomas Hagelskjær joined AGF from Hjortshøj-Egå Idrætsforening aged 13. Hagelskjær signed his first contract with Aarhus GF after an amazing performance during the unofficial European Club Championship, Nike Cup 2010, where Hagelskjær also scored a goal against Portuguese club FC Porto. Hagelskjær was also selected as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. 

The strong performance caused attention from the Npower Football League-team Birmingham FC. However, it did not result in a contract. Instead, Hagelskjær signed a new 3-year contract with AGF. Director of Sports, Brian Steen Nielsen, said: 

"You have to be careful putting high pressure on such a young goalkeeper, but I have high expectations to Thomas. As I see it, he is a complete goalkeeper". - B.S. Nielsen to AGF.DK
Good performances for the club and being selected for the U17 Danish national team resulted in a trial as the German club Werder Bremen, but once again Hagelskjær returned to AGF.


Asked what his strengths and weaknesses were, the goalkeeper said:

"I am generally good all over. It is very important as a keeper that you do not have something that is lacking behind or else you will fail. I am strong at reacting If I have to point out one thing. I am working a lot on my physics as I want to become bigger and faster and general to develop the whole package".

A statement that is backed up by his coach in Aarhus GF, Henrik Skov:

"Thomas’ strength is that he does not have any weaknesses. I believe that he is an outstanding goalkeeper and a great talent. His biggest strength must be that he is  good in 1 on 1 situations and his aura as a goalkeeper. Another strength is that he is a perfectionist in a good way. He wants things to be in order and is very perfectionist about his own training and form which is a good quality for a keeper".
Hagelskjærs first aim is to be a part of the AGF Superliga squad within a few years and  to put a pressure on the current goalkeeper, Steffen Rasmussen. But the player is up for more:

“Premier League is an aim for me. It is without a doubt where I would prefer to play”.
Coach Henrik Skov believes that Hagelskjær has the potential to play in the Premier League, but only time will show if he makes it that far.














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