Scandinavian strikers are all the fashion today, and the following superstar-in-the-making appears to be Denmark’s Rasmus Hojlund.
Solely 20 years previous and already together with his third senior membership, Hojlund is making waves in Serie A with Atalanta and has attracted the eye of various the sport’s largest sides, a lot of whom have been tipped to throw important bids his method within the coming months. Manchester United, Arsenal, Juventus and Napoli are simply 4 of many who’ve been linked with the Dane.
Forward of his seemingly inevitable rise to a family identify, this is a run-down of Hojlund.
Hojlund started his profession with Danish membership Copenhagen, his hometown workforce, for whom he made his debut in October 2020. He’d go on to make 32 appearances for the senior aspect however simply 5 of these got here as a starter and Hojlund has spoken overtly about not feeling backed by these in cost at Copenhagen.
A transfer to Austrian aspect Sturm Graz adopted in January 2022, and it was there that Hojlund’s profession took off. His six-month keep yielded 12 objectives and 4 assists in 21 video games, earlier than Atalanta got here calling with a reported €17m bid to take him to Italy.
Hojlund scored on his second look for the workforce and shortly grew to become an everyday starter for Atalanta, whereas he began his first recreation for the senior Denmark aspect in March 2023 and responded with 5 objectives in simply two video games in opposition to Finland and Kazakhstan.
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Whereas Hojlund is ready to make use of his towering body – stories checklist his top at both 6’3 or 6’4 – the Dane prefers to drop deeper into midfield to attempt to hyperlink up with the wingers both aspect of him.
A typical transfer from Hojlund is to carry the ball up and permit these round him to get ahead, dragging defenders out of place and trying to trigger chaos within the ultimate third.
When working additional ahead, Hojlund will seek for house relentlessly, utilizing his intelligence to select the best spots to get his shot away.
As a tall, younger, Scandinavian striker, comparisons to Erling Haaland have been frequent over the previous few years, and whereas Hojlund tries to keep away from such discussions, he can no less than perceive the place they’re coming from.
“As I’ve mentioned many occasions earlier than, I might not like to match myself to him as a result of he is a monster, he is loopy!”, he advised the Austrian Bundesliga website.
“I can see the similarities: he is quick, I am additionally quick; he is left-footed, I am additionally left-footed; he is sturdy and I am sturdy too. I hope that I can attain his stage, however I am going to want to coach very arduous and be much more targeted on the pitch.”
As ought to come as no shock when Haaland’s identify is talked about, Hojlund is a tall, lanky ahead with spectacular, highly effective acceleration, whereas he has additionally confirmed to be a wonderful poacher within the penalty space.
A typical criticism of Hojlund, and one which has adopted him all through his younger profession, is his struggles relating to aerial battles.
Whereas Hojlund is at all times pleased to problem for a header, he isn’t identified for his devastating skill off the bottom. Certainly, duel success charges of between 35% and 40% are frequent for Hojlund, regardless of his naturally imposing body.
Hojlund has spoken overtly of his ardour for Manchester United, beforehand naming Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol.
“I at all times watched Manchester United, I am a Manchester United fan,” he mentioned. “I additionally supported Actual Madrid when he was there. So, Cristiano Ronaldo might be the one. I like his mentality, I like how bold and passionate he’s. I additionally like the truth that he’s very aggressive.”
