Wealthy Danish investor wants a Danish-only club in the Premier League within five years.
The Danish business-man, who wishes to stay anonymous until further, is preparing the start up of an all Danish football club and aims to bring them from non-league to the Premier League within five years.
According to the secret soon-to-be club owner, Daniel Agger and Christian Eriksen are his main targets for the new team, and the two stars will be followed up by names as Nicklas Helenius and Jores Okore. The club will use the Danish Superliga to find the talents before clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea gets their hands on them.
According to a spokesperson, the club will be funded through the investors windmill factory.
The last couple of Friday's the Friday
Five have listed 5 new players on different positions worth keeping an eye on
during this Premier League season. Last week we took a look at the new midfielders; this Friday we are looking at the strikers.
5. Nicklas Helenius, 22, Aston Villa
Joined from Aalborg BK
Aston Villa went Danish this summer signing first Jores Okore and then the talented striker Nicklas Helenius. The Dane is a product of Aalborg's youth department and won his debut in 2010, 19 years-old. Since then, the Helenius finished second on the Danish top scorer list two seasons in a row and scored a total of 29 goals in 100 matches for Aalborg. Depsite being brought to Aston Villa as an developing player he has already gotten his debut in the Premier League. The Dane will hope for more chances, so he can make his way to the Danish national team where he currently is a reserve. You can read more about Helenius here.
4. Jozy Altidore, 23, Sunderland
Joined from AZ Alkmaar
The American-Haitan striker joined Sunderland from AZ Alkmaar this summer, and has been brought to Stadium of Light because of his ability to find the back of the net. The American striker has a past in Hull, Villareal, Bursaspor, New York Redbull and latest Alkmaar where he scored 51 goals in 93 matches. So far, Altidore has played 61 matches for the United States and contributed with 20 goals, why the expectations to his career in Sunderland are very high. The question is if he can make it in one of the best leagues in the world.
3. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, 24, Norwich City
Joined from Sporting Lisbon
Ricky van Wolfswinkel has always had an nose for goals! His career startet in Vitesse where the Dutch scored 8 goals before leaving for Utrecht where he found the back of the net 35 times in 80 matches. The amazing streak continued in Sporting where the striker added 45 goals to his account before joining Norwich this summer. So far, he has put the ball behind the keeper once, but we can expect much more from "the wolf". The Dutch striker seems to have a great future ahead of him on the national team, but it will be dependent on his career in Norwich.
2. Wilfried Bony, 24, Swansea City
Joined from Vitesse
Laudrup managed to land one of the best signings last season when Michu joined Swansea. This summer he found a partner for his Spanish star; Wilfried Bony from Vitesse. The Ivorian striker made his breakthrough in European football with Sparta Prague before joining Vitesse after 33 goals in 79 matches in Prague. In Holland, Bony just kept scoring goals and that was what caught Laudrups eyes. The Ivorian scored not less than 58 goals in 77 matches for Vitesse, and have already started his scoring spree in Swansea. Laudrup might just have made another brilliant signing!
1. Stevan Jovetic, 23, Manchester City
Joined from Fiorentina
The Montenegrin striker was for a long time linked with a move to Arsenal and Chelsea, but it was Manchester City that became Jovetic's new club. Jovetic is half Montenegrin and half Serbian, and it was in Serbia he started playing football. The striker is a product of Partizan Belgrade's youth department and made his way to the first team squad before leaving for Fiorentina. In Italy, Jovetic has played the role as secondary striker as well as the front runner, and became a star un Fiorentina. The statistic speaks for itself; 134 matches, 40 goals and 24 assists.
Both Aalborg Boldspilklub and Aston Villa have confirmed the transfer of Danish striker Nicklas Helenius.
Striker Nicklas Helenius, 22, becomes the second Dane to join Aston Villa this summer as the club completes an estimated £1.2m deal with Aalborg Boldspilklub.
Last season Helenius scored 16 goals in 33 caps in the Danish Superliga and was recognised by UEFA as Danish Superliga player of the season in 2012-13.
Despite the success, the Dane did not expect a transfer to the Premier League this early in his career he admitted to the Aston Villa website:
"I thought that maybe when I was 28 or something I might eventually be able to move to the Premier League having made my mark in Danish football but now I have my chance and I think this is the right club for me with all the other young players in the side who want to do well and achieve something together."
Nicklas Helenius has signed a contract lasting for the next three years.
Nicklas Bendtner's drunk driving has already lost him a lot of respect from Danish fans, but now he has also lost his status as Denmark's striker number 1.
His name is Andreas Cornelius; he's 20 years-old and total opposite of Nicklas Bendtner, keeps both feets on the ground. Last Friday he scored his first goal forDenmarkand was an important player in the 3-0 win against the Czech Republic. Denmark only managed to get a draw against Bulgaria tonight, but Cornelius performed well once again. The young talent provoked a penalty on which Agger scored.
With Bendtner away from the national team for the next five months, Cornelius has taken his chance and shown football Europe why Arsenal is keeping an eye on him. In fact, Cornelius has much the same stature as Bendtner; high, strong physic and great with the head. Furthermore, the young striker is capable of scoring with both feet. On the negative side, he is not the fastest or has the best agility.
However, there are a couple of other future prospects of the Danish national team that can take over where Cornelius is lacking. Victor Fischer has got his breakthrough inAjax this season and will develop into a key player for the Dutch and for Denmark within a couple of years. The forces of the Ajax striker are definitely his agility and pace, along with a great shot.
While Victor Fischer already is playing in a European top club, a couple of Superliga talents could be heading the same way. In Aalborg, a 21-year old striker named Nicklas Helenius is almost ready to take the next step. I'm sure that, by the end of next summer, he will be playing in either English, German or Dutch football. The striker ended last season as topscorer in the Danish Superliga and is a vital part ofAalborg's offence. However, it may be time for him to travel abroad, and Aalborg is in need of money.
InBrøndby, as well, is there a future prospect for the national team. Given his debut against the Czech Republic on Friday, Simon Makienok is the direct replacement for Cornelius. The striker is a typical target man, with a good height and physic, and is capable of holding the ball until his team mates can assist him. And like Cornelius, the striker keeps both feet on the ground and waits for his chance to shine.
Bendtner is "banned" from playing for Denmark a for a couple of months. However, there is no doubt Morten Olsen will allow him back on the team - if he finds a club to play for. At the moment, Bendtner should only be focussed on finding a new club - and not drinking and driving - as his position on the national team is under threat. In the future, we might see a Denmark team without Nicklas Bendtner; we have other options now.
This week's Football List features five upcoming Danish talents for the Danish national team.
1. Tobias Mikkelsen 6 Danish national caps 10 U21 Danish national caps 1 U20 Danish national cap
The offensive midfielder was part of the FC Nordsjælland team that won the Danish Superliga last season. Mikkelsen was awarded a position in the EURO 2012 squad, where he had some impressive performances. With Rommedahl in his last years of his career, Tobias Mikkelsen has showed Morten Olsen that he is a man for the future on the Danish national team. The winger is currently in his last days of his contract with FCN. However, the club is determined to keep Mikkelsen for his seasons Champions League adventure.
2. Jores Okore 3 Danish national caps 3 U21 Danish national caps
Like Tobias Mikkelsen, Jores Okore has just won the Danish Superliga last season. The Ivory-coast Danish born defender had his debut for FCN this season, with 36 caps and one goal. In 2011, Okore played his first U21 match for Denmark. However, Danish national coach Morten Olsen has kept an eye on Okore from the start of the season and gave him a surprising spot in the EURO squad. At this moment, the 19 year old defender is only considered as a talented back up for Agger and Kjær. However, it is only a matter of time before Okore plays in a football club outside Denmark, which could send him in the Danish starting line.
3. Jannik Vestergaard 8 U21 Danish national caps 2 U20 Danish national caps 7 U19 Danish national caps 4 U18 Danish national caps
Another future defender for Denmark is Jannik Vestergaard. The 19 year old Hoffenheim player, has a German mother and can, therefore, play for the German national team. However, Vestergaard has decided to play for the Danish youth national teams. Before the EURO, the defender was invited to train with the Danish national squad. This can be a signal, that Vestergaard is close to have his debut for the team. Many of the Danish fans, had hoped that Morten Olsen would give him a spot in the EURO squad, as he is seen as one of the best Danish talents. Further more, Vestergaard has proved that he, unlikely for defenders, has a nose for scoring goals.
4. Nicolai Boilesen 2 Danish national caps 4 U21 Danish national caps 1 U20 Danish national cap 16 U19 Danish national caps 29 U17 Danish national caps 2 U16 Danish national caps
Nicloai Boilesen was a safe name in the Danish EURO squad – Until he has his struck by another injury. The left back has so far played two matches for the Danish national team but has several caps for the national youth teams. Not only is he the future in Ajax Amsterdam, but also for the Danish national team and despite his young age he will be a regular player for Morten Olsen. Especially, with Denmarks problems on the left back.
5. Nicklas Helenius 9 U21 Danish national caps 2 U20 Danish national caps
The Aalborg-striker ended as number three on the Danish Superliga top scorer list - The most scoring Danish player in the league last season. The media were fast to announce him as a joker for the EURO squad, but instead he was selected for the U21 Danish team. The players agent has just revealed that Helenius is on the shortlist in Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich. Aalborg is under an economic pressure and might be forced to sell their star player, but they will do whatever they can to keep him for another season. Take a look on Great Dane Football Blog's profile of Helenius.
In relation to last weeks talent profile, Nicklas Helenius answers 5 questions from the twelve yard spot.
What is your favorite team?My favorite team is Arsenal. Before I became a fan of Arsenal I supported many teams, and where especially a fan of David Beckham. But then I saw Arsenal play, I think it was in 2000, where they won against Manchester United at home and Henry scores an incredible goal. The way they played back then, their style and speed in the team, attracted me, and I have been a fan ever since.
Who is your biggest idol?Once it was Henry, when he was in Arsenal. He was a fantastic player, but right now it is Robin van Persie. He is a top player and a great finisher.
What is your greatest experience?There have been a lot of great experiences, but the greatest is when I scored a hattrick against Silkeborg. It was cool to try it.
Where is Nicklas Helenius in ten years?Then I have been in Holland and had success and perhaps in Germany. The ultimate dream is to play in Arsenal. In twelve to thirteen years from now, I could see myself back in the Danish Superliga.
Who, from Aalborg BK, should the European clubs keep an eye on?We have Lukas [Edit: Andersen], who has a great future. He still has a lot to learn, but he has the talent. Our goalkeeper Nicolai [Edit: Larsen] can also become a great player. He has the talents that are needed.0
kommentarer
This week’s profile scored 14 goals in this season, which makes him number two on the top scorer list in Denmark. Keep an eye on Aalborg BK’s Nichlas Helenius.
The twenty-one year old striker is not unfamiliar with goals scoring, as he was top scorer for his clubs U19 team with 22 goals. The young talent is aware of his qualities:
“My strengths are my finishing and making my way to the chances. I also believe that I have a good speed, considering my height.”
The impressing statistic resulted in a four year contract and a promotion to the Superliga squad in 2010. While 2010 was a terrible year for AaB and their fans, Helenius had his debut against HB Køge and later scored his first goal against AC Horsens. The striker experienced personal success with 5 goals in four matches, making him the clubs top scorer in a season where they just managed to stay in the best Danish league.
“It was a frustrating season for the club, and especially for us younger players. We had no experience with playing in the Superliga, and then we were a part of the fight against relegation. There were tensions around the club, both from fans and people around the club, but we made it and I think we deserved to stay in the league.”
The personal success was followed up by a selection for the Danish U21 team’s match against Quatar, where Helenius had his debut.
Helenius started the just ended season with a dry period of goal scoring, with almost 1000 minutes without putting the ball in the back of the net. However, this changed when he scored two goals in two matches, and goals started coming in his direction. Manager in Aalborg, describes the attackers journey as:
“He has gone from being a talented young player, to a stabile goal scorer in about a year to a year and a half. He has made great development and has proved in this season that he can score and that he is one of the best strikers in the league.”
The German top club Dortmund was scouting the player, and Director of Sports in AaB, Lynge Jakobsen acknowledge that it could be difficult to keep the young attacker in the club. The interest did not become any smaller when Helenius was selected for the yearly national team of Superliga players, taking part in the King’s Cup in Thailand. Danish media announced that Dutch Roda had made an offer worth 5m Danish kroner (£540.000). However, this was found to be untrue.
The interest from bigger European leagues, is something that gives Helenius an extra boost, he revealed. Perhaps it was this “extra boost” he used when he scored his first hattrick, including an impressing goal, for Aalborg against Silkeborg IF, after the being behind by one, The hattrick impressed European clubs, and not only Roda and Dortmund was reported interested, but also Twente, Feyenoord and Club Brugge was watching him from the stands. Helenius acknowledge the interest but is not hesitating to go abroad:
“The club, my agent and I are agreeing that I will only change club, if it is right for me and AaB. The club has agreed that they will not sell me, just to get money.”
Manager Kent Nielsen says about the interest that “Helenius is not a bigger name, than he can play in Aalborg next season as well”, but he is also aware that the player might not be in the club when the next season starts:
“I hope he stays, but I know as well that the offers to Nicklas or to the club can be too good to say no to.”
Helenius’ next assignment is the U21 friendly against Scotland. The summer will show, if Helenius will be scoring goals in Denmark next season, or if we will see him in a European top club.
Wealthy Danish investor wants a Danish-only club in the Premier League within five years.
