Keep an eye on: Ryan Laursen

By on

Photo: Lyngbymedia.dk

  • Name: Ryan Laursen
  • Age: 20 (14.04.1992)
  • Position: Right Back
  • Club: Lyngby BK
  • International Caps: 
    • Denmark U20
      • 2 Match(es)
      • 0 Goal(s)
    • Denmark U19
      • 9 Match(es)
      • 0 Goal(s)
  • Value: £100.000 (transfermarkt.co.uk)
His childhood dream was to someday play somewhere a bit warmer than Denmark; the name is Ryan Laursen, Lyngby BK's Danish-American defender.

The young talent describes him self as a right back who is strong is the defensive 1 on 1 situations and sees his string physic and pace as a force. Something, his manager Niels Frederiksen agrees with:

"He is a type of back that matches our way of playing, with his attacking mind and pace. He is also great in 1 one 1 situations, so he has most of the abilities that we like for our left back," Frederiksen says.

Ryan Laursen joined Lyngby from BK Skjold in 2007 in his search for the opportunity to play at a higher level. In his third year, in Lyngby, he was given his debut against FC Fyn is the Danish FA Cup. An opportunity that the talent had waited for with great humbleness:

"I waited for my chance; I think I was on the bench for 27 matches before given my debut, so it was really great. Both physically and mentally everything just went faster, but I did well.”

Since the debut, Laursen has made 12 appearances and scored 2 goals for Lyngby and considers himself as an attack minded defender. Niels Frederiksen also sees Ryan Laursen in the role as an attacking back, which matches Lyngby's play style well.

“I try to be a part of the attacking play as much as possible, and as much as the coach allows me," Laursen says.

So far, the Lyngby defender has had 11 appearances in total for the Danish youth national teams, and he is hoping for more international experience with Denmark. Ryan Laursen was born in Los Angeles, USA and has an American mother which opens for the possibility of playing for the American national team. However, Laursen has not considered playing for USA; mostly because of the distance. Despite this, he reveals that should Jürgen Klinsman give him a ring he would consider it, but at the moment the Danish national team is his aim.

At the moment, Lyngby is 5 in the NordicBet Ligaen [Danish 1. Divison] and is still in play for a positing securing them promotion to the Danish Superliga. Despite, having almost no experience from the best league in Denmark, Niels Frederiksen is sure his defender as well as other younger players can take the next step:

“What is exiting about our team is that we have players that have not reached their top level yet so players as Ryan or Youssuf Poulsen will develop from playing on a higher level. I believe that he will be able to do it well in the Superliga,” he says.

Lyngby was supposed to play their first match in the autumn season this weekend. However, due to heavy snow the match against Fredericia has been adjourned. Instead, Ryan Laursen can get his 13th match for Lyngby next week against Skive IF.
0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , , , ,

Keep an eye on: Alexander Jakobsen

By on

Picture taken from www.psvjeugd.nl
  • Name: Alexander Jakobsen
  • Age: 18 (18-03-1994)
  • Position: Winger
  • Club: PSV Eindhoven
  • International Caps: None
  • Value: Unknown

A couple of years ago Alexander Jakobsen became famous; not only in Denmark but in most of the world. Back then, Jakobsen half-time entertainment in Parken and known for his Danske Bank commercial... He was the Danish Ronaldinho. Today, he has had a couple of years in the shadow, but is not ready to take the scene once again.

In Denmark Jakobsen played in both FC Copenhagen's youth department KB and in Lyngby, before joining PSV 18 months ago. It was at Copenhagen's home ground, Parken, the media circus around the Danish-Egyptian started with half-time entertainment. Soon after, Alexander Jakobsen's name was on every Danes lips when we appeared in a commercial for the bank, Danske Bank.


Jakobsen says about the time: "I was a school boy who loved football, and I got extreme attention which I was not ready for. I was on television every twenty second because of that commercial and when I was shopping with my mother I had to wear a hat not to be recognised. It was extreme, but I am happy I got the opportunity."

The Dane quickly became known as Denmark's Ronaldinho, and his reputation spread all over Europe. Twice he was invited to Liverpool, and on the rumour mill both Real Madrid and Barcelona was interested in the young players. However, Jakobsen stayed in Copenhagen where  reality hit him:

"I had a hard time in FCK, where I was struggling with injuries. I was invited to Liverpool twice, and the club liked me; everything was going great and nothing could stop me. Then suddenly I had my injury, and almost had to start over and fight to comeback. I realised that it was not as easy as I thought, but I have learned from it."

It is no wonder that Jakobsen is a talent. His father is the former Al Ahly and Egypt national team player Adel Ahmed, and he is supporting his son all the way.

"I learned a lot from my father while I was in FCK and Lyngby; he means a lot to me. He has felt it on his own body, so he tells me what to do and not to do on and off the pitch. I’m just happy that I have his support," the winger says.

Later, the Danish Ronaldinho joined Lyngby before leaving Denmark to play for PSV Eindhoven. Immediately, Jakobsen felt the difference between Danish and Dutch football as he experienced a more competitive environment, where only the best players are chosen for the matches.

During the interview, Alexander Jakobsen remembers an episode from one of his first trainings in the Dutch club:
"In training I was playing attacking midfield, and the defensive midfielder from the other team started talking to me and asking me things. I lost my concentration because I answered him and then when I got the ball he ‘smashed’ me down. It is a very different mentality; you do everything to win."

Jan Heintze
However, it was not only on the training ground, the talent had problems. From the start,  he missed his family, friends and girlfriend, but at the same time he is aware that this has only made him stronger. In Eindhoven, Jakobsen moved in with the former Danish national player Jan Heintze, from whom he learns a lot. After matches, Heintze speaks with the talent, and tells him where he can improve and what he can do different. Furthermore, the former Danish national and PSV Eindhoven player encourage Alexander to keep developing.

"Sometimes when I’m watching TV he comes with a newspaper or something else from his time at the national team. When I see what Jan has achieved it makes me hungry for more and makes me want more. Maybe on his level or even higher," Jakobsen says laughing.

Jan Heintze is not Jakobsen's only Danish friend in Eindhoven, who also have Mathias Zanka Jørgensen on contract. The 22-year-old defender and Jakobsen often goes out for dinner or meet for a game of PlayStation.

While Zanka has had his debut on the Danish national team, Danes can not expect to see Jakobsen in the red shirt. Due to his Egyptian father and Danish mother, Alexander Jakobsen has the opportunity to represent either Denmark or Egypt on a national level. So far he has not got a youth match for Denmark, and now Egypt is likely to invite him to play at the African Cup of Nations for under-20's. An invitation Jakobsen is ready to accept, but at the same time he has not decided which national team he will represent on A-level.

The future will tell which country the talent will represent. One thing is for sure; Jakobsen is one of many Danish players who has been through the Dutch system; many of them only to return to Danish football. However, Jakobsen is confident that he can make it in Holland and in other European leagues. After a couple of years with less or no attention from the media, the boy formerly known as Denmark's Ronaldinho is ready for more.

"I’ve been here 1½ year now, I speak fluent Dutch and I haven’t missed the media attention, but now it is beginning to return because I am doing well. And to be honest I like it when people recognise me on the street", he says.


1 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , , , , , ,

Keep an eye on: Lukas Fernandes

By on

              Name: Lukas Fernandes
               Age: 19 (01.03.1993)
          Position: Goalkeeper
              Club: Lyngby BK
International caps: Denmark U19: 4 Match(es)
                                 0 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U18: 2 Match(es)
                                 0 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U17: 7 Match(es)
                                 0 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U16: 3 Match(es)
                                 0 Goal(s)
            Value: £100.000 (transfermarkt.co.uk)

He is 19-year old, have played in Lyngby since 2008 and is considered as one of the clubs best talents. This weeks "Keep an eye on" is Lukas Fernandes.

Asked to describe his young goalkeeper, Lyngby coach Niels Frederiksen said, 'despite his young age, he is a very calm who, in general, never get stressed. He is a very strong goalkeeper and is good with his feets'.

Fernandes joined Lyngby after some of his former teammates from his childhood club, joined LB and invited him to come and play with them. The keeper soon became profile in the youth department, and this was discovered by the Premier Leauge club Stoke City, who invited Fernandes on a trial.
'It was exciting to be able to train with some professionals, however; it was only for a few days. I had two training sessions in the club, and trained with Thomas Sørensen and Asmir Begovic - players you normally only see in the TV'.

However, Fernandes returned to Lyngby where he won silver with Lyngby in the Danish U19 league, before being promoted to the first team squad. Here, he had his debut in the 1-0 victory in the Danish Siuperliga against FC Nordsjælland on the 30th October 2011. Today Lyngby is in the top of the Danish 1. Division and the young keeper have only played 2 matches this season. Another young goalkeeper, Nicklas Højlund, is guarding the goal.

'My personal goal is not  only to be playing the last couple of matches', Fernandes says and continues, 'I just have to train hard, and at some point I will get a chance'. His coach, Niels Frederiksen, explains why Højlund currently is the main goalkeeper:
'We always have to weigh up what qualities we need at the moment, and both have their individual strenght'.

However, Frederiksen underlines that Fernades 'overall is a good goalkeeper'.

The national career for Lukas Fernandes has so far given him sixteen matches for different Danish youth teams, the latest in March this year against Ukraine. The goalkeeper is currently not on any of the Danish national teams, but the dream of representing Denmark on the highest level is alive:

'It is every players dream, but it is hard to say if it will ever happen. However, I would not play football if I didn't believe it could happen, and it would certainly be a big dream'.

Niels Frederiksen belives his goalkeeper can go far as he most goalkeepers are best at around the age of 30, and Fernandes has already shown great potential before he has turned 20. However, the Lyngby coach urges his talent to keep his feet on the ground.
0 kommentarer
Etiketter: ,

Keep an eye on: Uffe Manich Bech

By on

Keep an eye on: Uffe Manich Bech

               Age: 19 (19-01-1993)
          Position: Striker - 
                    Centre Forward      
              Club: Lyngby BK,
                    Danish Superliga
             Debut: 01-08-2010 against
                    Silkeborg IF (2-2)
International Caps: Denmark U19: 8 Match(es)
                                 2 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U18: 4 Match(es)
                                 1 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U17: 10 Match(es)
                                  6 Goal(s)
                    Denmark U16: 7 Match(es)
                                 3 Goal(s)
             Value: £175.000 (transfermarkt.co.uk) 

Since his change from Hellerup Idrætsklub to Lyngby BK in 2006, Uffe Bech has become another product of the clubs fantastic youth department. The talented striker, who can play several offensive positions, signed his first contract with Lyngby aged 15. Back then he had just won the national championship for U16. 

Uffe Manich Bech describes himself as a player who is “quick on his feet” and believes that he “thinks fast and is playing in a high tempo”. 

The player also said: “I am good in the offensive play and in creating chances both for myself and my teammates.”

The description is backed up by Danish national U19 coach Per Andersen:


“Uffe is a player with a very high intelligent for the game. It means he is great at reading the game. He is tactical clever, and a technical  great player, as well. He is very creative and good at finding the openings and he can be used on several positions.”

In 2009 Uffe Bech, was invited on a trial in Blackburn Rovers where they, according to Sky Sports, had the chance of a permanent stay if they could impress the club. Bech said about his stay in Blackburn Rovers: 

“Blackburn was the first trial I had, and it was a fan experience. It was instructive; we played against some players that were physical bigger than me, and I think it went well.” 

However, the talented player returned to Lyngby but was soon invited on another trial. This time in Heerenveen. Once again, Bech returned to Lyngby, but this time to have his debut for the first team squad six months after. 

Uffe Bech had his first appearance in the 2-2 draw against Silkeborg IF in August 2010 and later that month he signed a new contract with Lyngby BK. In February 2011, the player was invited on a trial in German club HSV. However, Niels Frederiksen, Manager of Lyngby made it clear that Uffe Bech would return to Lyngby. Asked what he would suggest as the next step for Uffe Bech, Per Andersen said:

“He is in a good development in Lyngby, and I would suggest that he stays in the club and becomes a regular part of the Superliga squad. That is the first thing he should have as a goal for his future.”

Uffe Bech is willing to develop in Lyngby, but also said that:

“I want to play abroad at some point. I believe I have the talent and will for it, and then we will see how far it reaches. It is my goal.”

The first goal in the blue shirt came in April 2011 when the 18-year old striker was sent on the pitch in the 72nd minute against FC Midtjylland. Three minutes later had he smashed the leather in the back of the net and made himself matchwinner. An experience the striker sees as one of his biggest moments.

In December 2011, Uffe Manich Bech was awarded the Danish Football Associations U19-talent price. A price that have been awarded to some of the most influential players in Danish football, as Jon Dahl Thomasson, Jesper Grønkjær and Peter Løvenkrands. The striker said about winning the price:

“I was glad and proud of being awarded the price, but I see it as a pat in the shoulder rather than a quality stamp. It does not mean that I can go out and think I am the king here, it means I need to work harder and first of all here in Lyngby.” 

The young offensive player has earlier been compared with the Argentinean super striker, Lionel Messi, by Danish expert Per Frimann. However, the player himself has another view:

“There is a long road to become Messi and I'm never going to be the same player as Messi. It is possible that we both are small players, but we do not have the same style of playing”.

It is worth mentioning that Uffe Manich Bech was a crucial factor in Lyngby BK’s reserves victory against Viborg IF’s reserves, during the winter preseason. The team was behind by 4-0 when Uffe Bech made a hattrick in sixteen minutes, bringing the club back in the game, which they won – 5-4.
                    
0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , , , , ,

Keep an eye on: Bror Blume-Jensen

By on

Keep an eye on: Bror Blume-Jensen

Lyngby-boldklub.dk
               Age: 20 (22-01-1992)
          Position: Center Midfield
              Club: Lyngby Boldklub,
                    Danish Superliga
             Debut: 25-08-10 
                    against Fc Fyn,
                    EkstraBladet Cup
International caps: Denmark U20: 
                    3 match(es)
                    1 goal(s)
             Value: £50.000 
                    (transfermarkt.co.uk)
  
The 20-year old midfielder started his career in BK Skjold before joining Hvidovre IF, where he won the Danish Indoor Football Championship.  He joined Lyngby BKs in 2008 and has been a part of the youth department where he won silver medals with the U19 squad. He had his debut on the senior team in 2010 in the EkstraBladet Cup against the Danish 1. Division team FC Fyn.

Bror Blume signed a new contract with Lyngby in the summer 2011 when he was promoted to the Superliga squad. He has so far had 4 matches for Lyngby, with the Superliga debut against the champions FC Copenhagen.

In relation to the promotion, U19 coach Jens Olsen said to Lyngby BKs website:

"Bror is a skilled technical and dynamic player. He has his starting point on the central midfield and have in the present year scored a well amount of goals from this position".

The midfielder had his debut on the Danish U20 national team against North Ireland during the NI Milk Cup. Blume scored his first goal in his only second match, in the 3-1 victory, against Israel. Bror Blume was also a part of the team that won against North Ireland in the final. 
0 kommentarer
Etiketter: , , , , , ,