John Arne Riise Exclusive Interview: England vs Norway & Premier League Insights

Erling Haaland – how does he compare to strikers you played with and against and what kind of boost does his sheer efficiency of goals to touches give to a team who has him?

I mean, if you look at his physical presence – when it comes to holding the ball up and strength – maybe you look at Didier Drogba or someone like that, or even Jari Litmanen, who was quite similar when it came to presence. But when you look at his deadliness in the box, his movement, his sharpness, and his pace, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with the total package that Haaland has.

Just the way he can be there – walking around, jumping around, and then suddenly something happens in the box and he’s there. He’s just a beast, an animal in the box. I don’t think any striker can compare to him when it comes to that total package. He can do it all and has everything.

Haaland scores goals against these England defenders for Man City. How vulnerable is England’s defence, compared to previous years, and what can they do, if anything, to stop Haaland?

Obviously, he’s the main man they need to stop because he’s the one scoring the goals and he’s the big threat. But at the same time, we all know if they focus too much on him, we have other players who can hurt England. He’s the obvious choice to take out of the game, but I also think they need to watch Martin Ødegaard. He’s the one who connects with Haaland to feed him. Depending on who plays in the wide areas – whether it’s Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup, or Oscar Bobb – those areas are the main things for England to stop if they’re going to win against Norway, which I hope they don’t.

Some might say “it’s the Erling Haaland team”. But there’s clearly more to it. Why is this team the most successful in Norway’s history and how impressed have you been with Martin Odegaard, whose form at the end of PL season was nowhere near this?

I just think Martin’s been injury-free for a little while now with Norway, which has helped a lot, and he’s done his physical work.

I think at Arsenal he was trying maybe too hard to come back too soon from his injuries because he wanted to help the team, and it set him back. Then the team does well at the same time, so you feel more pressure (to get back into the team).

All in all, I think the whole season was just too much for Martin to handle when it came to injuries. He really wanted to help the team, but he didn’t perform at the level he wanted when he came back. As soon as he got back to match fitness, he got injured again, so it’s just been a frustrating season for him. With Norway, he’s been lucky because he’s had a long time now injury-free and he’s feeling really well.

Did you grow up hearing about the famous 1981 Norway victory over England and the commentator? How confident are you Norway can win this game and how big would that be for the country?

Well, this game means so much. English football has always been the most followed football in Norway, and we have such a strong relationship. We had Norway vs. Brazil last game, but I think this one is even bigger because it’s English football. I’m excited. I think England have performed okay; they did very well against Croatia and then had a couple of games where they weren’t playing that well. But against Mexico, I thought England were unbelievable with how they committed. It’s going to be a tough one. The two main men I have really enjoyed watching are Harry Kane, obviously, and Jude Bellingham – they have been really good so far.

Should England think about starting with Dan Burn, considering his excellent record against Erling Haaland, or keep Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa as their centre-half pairing?

Dan Burn? It’s an unbelievable story. I was at Fulham when Dan Burn came through as a youngster, and to see how he’s grown into an unbelievable centre-back for Newcastle and for England is great. When he came on against Mexico, he was brilliant. I don’t think he’s going to start the game; I think he’s going to come on depending on the result, either to defend a lead or to attack and try to score. I never saw him reaching the high level he’s got to in the last few years, so I’m very happy for him. In the box, he can handle Haaland because of his height and his strength, but Haaland is about much more than just being in the box – he’s got pace and movement. The England defenders have played well, so I don’t think Burn will start, but I’m quite sure he’ll come on.

Norway’s whole approach to this World Cup, with their fans, their celebrations, and their brilliant progress, has underlined an incredible team unity and spirit. Is that down to the manager or just a real togetherness among the players?

Yeah, it’s been magnificent to see the connection between the players and the fans. I mean Ståle Solbakken has been a player himself, so he knows what’s needed. He’s been in the Championship before, and everything he says about having free time, spare time, family time, is really important.

I’ve never seen a Norwegian team be so united. As you said, they’re really playing for each other and having fun at the same time as doing the work. I think that helps them perform because they’re going into games now knowing they can beat anybody. They’re playing well, they’re all friends, and I’m looking forward to experiencing the fans, seeing how much they support the team on Saturday night.

The atmosphere is unbelievable in the squad. It’s down to the players and leadership from captains like Martin Ødegaard, Erling Haaland and Sander Berge, but 100% the coach and coaching staff have a lot to do with it.

If England stop Haaland do they win? Or should they concentrate on many more areas?

We do have individual players who can change a game, like Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup, Oscar Bobb, Alexander Sørloth, and Martin Ødegaard. But when you look at the World Cup up to now, the person scoring the goals is Haaland. So if England stop Haaland, keep him quiet, and don’t give him chances, it certainly gives them a massive chance to win the game, 100%.

We do have other players who can score and create goals, but our main man up front is Haaland, and we need him to be fired up. I am 100% sure if there’s somebody who’s going to be fired up for this game, it’s Mr. Haaland.

If it goes to penalties, what would be your advice to those taking them based on your experience in having a penalty saved in the Champions League final in 2005 but then scoring from the spot in the 2006 FA Cup final penalty shoot-out.

In a Champions League final or a World Cup quarterfinal, the pressure is massive. I think it’s all about belief. Obviously, they’re going to practice beforehand, so just do what you practice. Believe in yourself and just go for it. Don’t overthink, and don’t try to change your normal routine.

I’m sure the players on both sides will be ready for it. But at the end of the day, even if you go with what you believe in and place it well, you don’t know what the goalkeeper is thinking.

Missing a penalty is always something that can happen. But as long as you stay loyal to your routine and do what you practiced, there’s not much more you can do.

Do you think Haaland is the best striker in the world?

When it comes to what a striker needs to do, yes, Erling Haaland is the best striker in the world. I love his goals, his power, and how professional he is. But I also love the way he acts as a human being – he’s always smiling and enjoying it.

He can fight with opponents like Gabriel on the pitch, but he has so much respect for them at the same time. He’s not being an idiot out there; he just does his job during the game and shows total respect afterward. There are many good forwards around, but he is the best striker in the world at the moment.

Is there any split loyalty for you when it comes to Norway v England?

No, listen – I’m always an England fan in every tournament because Norway hasn’t been there. But this time, there’s no doubt. I love English football, I love the English players, and I love everything English football has done for Norwegian football. I spent ten years in English football myself. But I’m going to the game this Saturday and I’m so excited because it’s just going to be an unbelievable match on the pitch, but also in the stands, because the Norwegian fans and English fans are going to have a great time together.

Are you going to get involved in the rowing craze?

I haven’t done it yet because I’ve been watching the games in a quiet area – it’s been completely mad. But I have to do it now in the stands. I’m probably going to be sitting with other legends there, and when they do the rowing, I’m joining in. I mean, I have to, because I’ve never been to a World Cup either as a fan or a player. Seeing how this World Cup has been for Norwegian fans is unbelievable, and I want to participate, support them, and give my best to help the team. Hopefully, we can give England one hell of a beating.

Who do you think will end with the Golden Boot?

Well, it depends on who goes the furthest in the tournament. I think it’s going to be between Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland. I don’t think Harry Kane will quite get up there, even if England go all the way. I want Haaland to win it for sure, because that means he scores a lot of goals against England on Saturday and we progress further in the World Cup. But realistically, I think Mbappé is going to take it, even though I’d prefer Haaland or Messi.

If Norway win the game, can they win the World Cup?

Yes, I do think that Norway can win the World Cup if they win this game against England. Why not? Before the World Cup started, I never thought we could win it; I thought a quarterfinal spot would be our absolute maximum. But the way they’ve played, the way they’ve carried themselves, and the way they’ve attacked every single game to get to where they are now is unbelievable.

Yes, I believe we can win it. I still think France are the massive favourites for the whole tournament and I can’t see anybody beating them at the moment, but we can absolutely win. We are in the last eight, so everything is possible. The only area where we might fall slightly short in the final stages is our back four, as I’m not entirely sure the defence is strong enough to go all the way. But if we have a 100% perfect day in these last three games, we can win it.

What is the mood like in Norway now?

Norway has been turned upside down in the last couple of weeks. After the Brazil game, I drove through the city centre to go home and people were hanging out of car windows celebrating. There were a hundred thousand people on the main street in Norway outside the King’s castle. I’ve never seen anything like it. So yes, the Norwegian fans genuinely believe we can win it. But at the same time, even if they lose against England, it’s been one hell of a journey. The fans are going to applaud and support the players when they come home because it’s been such an unbelievable run. But yeah, back home, we do think that we can win it, and I know we really, really want to beat England.

Why do Norwegians want to beat England so much?

It’s just because we know so much about English football. The Premier League is the biggest and most followed league in Norway. So many of our players have been there, and the support for clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, City, and Chelsea is massive.

Norway has such deep roots in English football, we really want to beat you. And also, it’s because English fans are always singing “It’s coming home.” It’s been a while since it actually came home, so we want to make sure it doesn’t happen this time either!

Apart from Haaland, who are the dangermen for Norway?

Obviously, Nusa and Oscar Bobb, who is at Fulham now. Sander Berge, the midfield player from Fulham as well, has been exceptional. But if I have to pick one, look at Patrick Berg from Bodø/Glimt. He’s the number six. He didn’t start the first couple of games but came on and has been unbelievable. I think a lot of clubs are looking at him, and he would be perfect for the Premier League. Keep an eye on him because he is an incredibly hard-working player. I love Patrick Berg.

Then we have Julian Ryerson at right-back, who plays for Dortmund. I think he’s one of the best fullbacks in the world when he’s 100% fit. It’s not going to be an easy game for England, that’s for sure.

What has changed to make Norway a force in football again?

I think we’ve been working for many years with the younger generations in training. At the same time, having players like Haaland, Ødegaard, and Oscar Bobb doing so well helps because people can see we are not as bad as they might have thought a few years ago. We’ve focused on developing players from a young age, giving them the right education and training so they’re prepared to perform when they go abroad.

Crucially, many players haven’t just jumped straight from Norway to the biggest clubs in Europe; they take small steps. Look at Haaland—he took it one step at a time until suddenly he was completely prepared for Manchester City. A lot of our players have followed that path, and I think that helps immensely.

What is the last thing you would say to Norway before they face England?

It entirely depends on who England start at right-back. If Antonio Nusa is playing on our left wing, my primary instruction would be: give the ball to Nusa early and let him isolate his fullback 1v1. If Oscar Bobb is on the opposite side and Martin Ødegaard is pulling the strings, we need to exploit the spaces left when England’s fullbacks push forward. Their fullbacks love to advance, and the vacant space behind them is where we can hurt them. And obviously, look to use Haaland’s explosive runs to exploit that space in behind the centre-backs.

How should England/Norway prepare to take on Messi?

People have been trying for 20 years to deal with Messi, and they’re still trying. Try your best – that’s all you can say. The closer you get to the final, the more Messi can take control of the game and show what he’s capable of. If Norway or England go through to the semifinals, and Argentina win as well, he’s the man to stop. But it seems impossible to stop him; it’s been like that for 20 or 25 years.

What do you make of the refereeing decisions going in Argentina’s favour against Cape Verde and Egypt?

First of all, I think it’s ridiculous to hear people saying everything is rigged. Some decisions always go for you and some go against you; that’s just football. But I do miss consistency when it comes to the referees and VAR. That’s the real issue.

The goal that got canceled for Egypt was a weird one. They went back something like 17 seconds to find a foul. Yes, it’s a foul if you look at the video replay, but usually, you don’t see those given when play has moved on that far, and the referee didn’t give it initially on the pitch. In my opinion, that goal should have stood. I think the referee lost control of the game a little bit– not because of Messi, but just because of the sheer pressure of the match.

We’ve seen many referees do great things in this World Cup, but because we’re getting closer to the final, people are analysing every single whistle much more intensely. Still, I’m just happy Messi is through, and hopefully, we can meet him in the semis.

What is your predicted scoreline for England v Norway?

My heart and everything in me wants a 2-1 Norway win. But I do think it’s going to be tough. England are the favourites, and if I were betting with my head, I would tip England to win. But I’m going to be at the stadium doing the rowing celebration the whole game, hoping for a Norwegian victory. If we win, we potentially meet Messi and Argentina in the semifinal.

Who has been the biggest flop at the World Cup?

Give me some options because it’s tough! If we’re talking about teams, I think Germany. I was really disappointed by how they played football. It didn’t look like the typical German team we are used to seeing in major tournaments. When it comes to individual players, it’s hard because expectations are always so high, and I don’t want to single anyone out. So I’ll stick with Germany as the biggest disappointment based on how I expected them to perform.

Should Cristiano Ronaldo retire before the Euros?

Yeah. I know the Portugal coach loves Ronaldo, but I think the whole Ronaldo situation at this World Cup was quite sad. At one point he wasn’t scoring, then he says he’s back after scoring a couple of goals, and then he disappears again.

I don’t think Roberto Martínez managed the situation the right way. He should have shown a stronger hand and prioritised the team over the individual player. I don’t think Ronaldo will be ready for the Euros, nor do I think he’s currently good enough to play for Portugal at that level.

He should call it a day internationally and hand over the opportunity to the younger players. Modern football is incredibly demanding physically; you need all 11 players running and fighting for the team, unless you are Messi. Ronaldo doesn’t do that anymore, and I think his inclusion weakens the Portuguese team rather than helping it.

How is Lionel Messi still so effective?

It’s unbelievable. The biggest contrast we saw between Ronaldo and Messi in this World Cup was against Egypt. When Argentina went 2-0 down, Messi completely took control of the game. He demanded the ball, he created everything, he was completely fired up, and he showed exactly why he’s the GOAT. It amazed me how, after 75 or 80 minutes, he just turned it on and decided, “Okay, now it’s Messi time.” It’s incredible what he’s doing.

People can criticise him for walking around, observing, or missing a penalty, but when the team absolutely needed him, he stepped up. Part of me wants Messi to win the World Cup just to see it happen again, but obviously, if Norway make it through, he’ll be meeting us in the semifinals – so of course I want Norway to win. But Messi is showing exactly why he’s the best ever.

What do you expect from Argentina vs Switzerland?

I just watched Switzerland against Colombia, which was easily the most boring game of this World Cup. I mean, Jesus Christ, it was tedious! So for the sake of football, I really hope Argentina just run all over them and get a convincing win.

I just can’t see Switzerland winning. Argentina have had to work incredibly hard to grind out results in their last two matches. I think they’re going to approach this one looking to make life easier for themselves by being much more compact and authoritative. In those last two games, they definitely underperformed until they absolutely had to find a winner.

Which team has the best chance of stopping France?

Spain look the strongest defensively right now. They look incredibly cohesive and together when they don’t have the ball. Argentina, by contrast, have looked far too open in a few games, conceding soft, easy goals. Spain look like the closest challengers capable of actually beating France at the moment.

I think Pedri has been very good; he controls things well. Lamine Yamal hasn’t consistently performed at his absolute highest level yet, but he still produces these isolated moments where he’s just unbelievable. And then their striker – Mikel Oyarzabal – is scoring goals when needed. But Pedri is the one anchoring them nicely.

Belgium did really well against the USA in their last match, but prior to that, they had been significantly underperforming. The tactical structure of Spain is going to be a step too far for Belgium.

Did Trump’s intervention give Belgium extra motivation?

Oh, 100% it motivated them. I’m certain they talked about it in the dressing room and said, “Listen, let’s go out there, smash them, and show them that this rhetoric isn’t right.” You shouldn’t technically need extra motivation at a World Cup, but an emotional edge like that always helps.

You could see it after the whistle – the Belgian players were celebrating specifically with gestures aimed at the Trump narrative. They clearly used it as fuel to beat the Americans. And rightly so – it obviously wasn’t the American players’ fault, but those kinds of political statements shouldn’t be overlapping with the tournament.

What do you make of the Andoni Iraola appointment at Liverpool? Were they right to get rid of Arne Slot?

Was it the correct decision to sack Slot? It’s a hard one. When it happened, and now in the weeks after, I’ve been trying to understand what happened at the club.

Initially, I thought they should give Slot the preseason – another preseason with new signings and the players from last season – to try and turn it around. But I do think there’s been too much going on behind the scenes. I have heard rumours that he lost the dressing room a little bit with the players. Nothing is confirmed, but obviously there has to be something behind it. You can’t go from winning the Premier League to a season that is so up and down with so many questionable situations.

I do think maybe he lost the dressing room a little bit, and as soon as a manager loses the dressing room at that level, it’s almost impossible to turn things around. I don’t think the club had any other option than to talk to him and see what he thought. I think they handled it mutually, where both parties could see there was no way forward other than to separate.

Now that they’ve gone for Iraola, I’m happy with the appointment. He’s done brilliant things before, and I think we needed something new.

Iraola’s arrival pairs him back up with Mikos Kerkez, what did you make of his first season at Anfield and how can Iraola coming in help him?

Obviously, Kerkez is a player that I really want to do well. He had an up-and-down season. I think Andrew Robertson probably could have played even more games because I don’t think Kerkez consistently played to his top level. It’s going to give him some more confidence, perhaps, to play under his former manager. But at the same time, I think Kerkez now understands how big a club Liverpool is and how you must perform in every single game.

The one thing with Kerkez that slightly concerns me is that everything seems to happen at 100 miles per hour – the passing, the sprinting, the closing down. Everything just seems so frantic. I know it’s his playing style, but I just hope he can find his best form again because we need our fullbacks to be great defensively while also supporting the attack going forward.

What is the minimum requirement for Iraola to achieve in his first season after the fifth-place last season where they were 25 points behind Arsenal?

A club like Liverpool needs to challenge for the title, or at least be up there fighting for it and being much closer than last season, while also doing well in the Champions League. That’s the minimum requirement for a manager at the club. Whether he can do it depends on which players come in.

Some of the problems last season stemmed from our most loyal and experienced players not performing to the level they should have over the entire year. There were so many factors that weren’t up to our standards, and those established players need to step up too. They need to be closer and challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the title.

What did you think of Andoni Iraola’s appointment as Liverpool boss? You worked under Liverpool’s last Spanish boss, Rafa Benitez, how do you think they compare in terms of styles etc?

I think Iraola and Rafa are two very different characters when it comes to how they communicate with players and how they act on the bench. I’ve seen Iraola on the touchline, and he looks more energetic, more involved with his body language.

Rafa was much more about strict tactics and was a bit more cold-faced. I mean nothing bad by that because I had a great relationship with Rafa, but I do think players today will have more close, one-on-one conversations with Iraola than we typically had with Benítez.

Why do you think it didn’t work out for Arne Slot last season, and what does Iraola need to do to get Liverpool back on track?

I would like to see more enthusiasm and more energy on the bench to engage with the fans and the players. I think Arne Slot is an unbelievable manager, but he was very reserved on the touchline. I want more visible engagement from the manager so the fans and the players can feed off that energy. The same goes for when he speaks to the media – being able to show more emotion is important for the fans and players to see.

When you’re at Anfield, you want a bit of that Jürgen Klopp style where he gets the crowd and the players going through his energy on the bench. It’s important for Iraola to show everyone right from the start that he has that passion.

Did you see much of Bournemouth during his time there, was there anything in particular that impressed you about Iraola as a manager?

The way they played by attacking with real pace and power, and how quick they transitioned forward. They were very hard to play against. I also loved what you call their “recovery runs” – the way they really sprinted back to support the team and stay compact the moment they lost the ball. That high intensity going forward combined with sprinting back to recover compactness is something I really hope we see at Liverpool. It’s similar to what we did during my first few seasons under Rafa when we were challenging for leagues – quick transitions, powerful forward movement, and intense tracking back. That was lacking last season, and I think it’s going to come back now.

Odegaard: Is his time up at Arsenal after all his injury issues last year?

Is Martin Odegaard’s time up at Arsenal? I can understand people thinking that, but at the same time, he’s the captain. He performs well, and you can see at the World Cup that he’s in good shape and has done well for Norway.

I’m not sure how long his contract is, but I can’t picture him leaving because he’s obviously happy there and he’s the captain. It’s been an up-and-down season, especially with the injuries, so he needs to start well next season, get a good run going, and get some of the fans back supporting him again.

Liverpool: Who do you see as the ideal midfield options this summer? On the wings, is it Diomande or Barcola or nothing? Can Gakpo still have an impact after a promising World Cup?

I like those two names, Yann Diomande and Bradley Barcola, they’re definitely great options for Liverpool. I think we are lacking a little bit in the wide areas, especially now with Mohamed Salah having left as well. We need to do something because last season obviously wasn’t good for Liverpool – too many ups and downs, and we were too easy to beat.

Now, with Andoni Iraola coming in as the new manager, every manager naturally wants new players. I’m excited but a little bit caught in between wondering who they’re going to get in just to straighten the team out, and who are the players that will allow them to challenge for the big prizes. It’s definitely going to be interesting to see what happens over the summer.

With Liverpool’s winger options now limited and with Diomade off the radar, who would you like them to sign and what do you think they will bring to the side?

I was actually just about to name Barcola. I really like Bradley Barcola and think he has had a brilliant World Cup with France.

Liverpool need an attacker or a winger who possesses that raw, unpredictable X-factor – someone who gives the Anfield crowd that immediate lift. It’s like when young Rio Ngumoha comes on; you can instantly feel the energy in the stadium shift because the fans know something exciting is about to happen.

I want Liverpool to target that exact profile – a player who can step up and change the entire dynamic of a match.

Does Iraola need more physicality in his midfield? Is Mac Allister a bad fit for his system and who should Liverpool try and sign?

We need some more – I always say “power” – but I mean physical strength and more physical presence in the middle. We have some great players there, but you could see in certain games when the tempo was high and it came down to tight challenges, we lost too many of those battles in the middle of the park last season. It was too easy to run over our midfield.

I think Dominik Szoboszlai was our best player last season, but apart from that, people struggled. Then again, I don’t know the manager too well, I’ve only seen his teams play, but I’m sure he’s aware of what’s needed at the club.

What do you make of interest in Eli Junior Kroupi from Barcelona and other big clubs?

How can you possibly say no to Barcelona? If that interest is genuine and the opportunity is there, I am 100% sure he will go. The only exception would be if he’s totally in love with life in the Premier League and wants to hold out for a top-tier English side. But Barcelona is a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Should Newcastle move for Alexander Sørloth?

Yes. I think Sørloth would be a great signing for Newcastle. I do think he needs to leave Atlético Madrid. It’s tough for him there. Obviously, for Norway, he plays on the right wing because Erling Haaland is chosen through the middle, but he’s powerful, he’s a goalscorer, and he’s quick. I think English football suits him very well. I really hope Sørloth goes to an English club, and Newcastle would be perfect.

What do you make of Alvaro Arbeloa taking over at Fulham? It feels like a risky appointment.

It came as a shock. I hadn’t even read about it, and then suddenly – bam – he was the manager. I was a little bit surprised, to be honest. If they are planning to bring youngsters from the Madrid academy, it’s going to be hard for them to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League. At the same time, Arbeloa was at Madrid for a long time and knows how to handle big profiles. But this is different because now he needs to take over a team that needs to fight for every single game to try and improve.

That’s sometimes the problem with Fulham – they never seem to change their trajectory and always end up in the exact same spot in the table. Hopefully, he can improve things, but it’s going to be an interesting season to see if Arbeloa can help them climb the table and change the dynamics they’ve had for a few seasons now.

Did you have a hand in Oscar Bobbs move to Fulham and do you think this could be the year where he demonstrates he has the potential to be an elite player?

Yes, I think Bobb can show everyone just how special he is this season. I think he’s got confidence from the World Cup and everything going on with the national team. He’s a great player, but he really needs confidence from his manager to play his natural game.

For Norway, Ståle Solbakken wants him to take players on and just have a go, even if he loses it. Playing for a club like Fulham, it’s not always that easy to keep doing that because when you lose the ball, you’re going to get counter-attacked and you could concede goals. He just needs to have belief in his own ability. Hopefully, he can push on, because I don’t think he played particularly well toward the end of the season for Fulham.

Should Chelsea try to hang onto Enzo Fernandez?

For players coming from South American countries, when Real Madrid or someone of that stature comes in, it’s really hard to keep them. It’s incredibly difficult. We’ve seen it before. Also, there have been some issues with Fernández at Chelsea under the previous management when Liam Rosenior left him out for a couple of games. If they try to block a move to Madrid, it’s going to cause too many issues at the club. They have a new manager now, so it all depends on what the new manager thinks and whether Enzo likes the manager’s style or not. But if Real Madrid come calling, it’s hard to keep a player.

Is Julian Ryerson the right man for Manchester United?

I would love him to go to the Premier League. He would be perfect for Manchester United. He’s powerful, strong, quick one-on-one, and brilliant both offensively and defensively. He’s one of the best fullbacks in the world. So please, yes! Though I would actually rather have him at Liverpool if that’s possible.

The way he plays – his tackling, his mentality, and his sharpness. He’s strong, he can run up and down all day, and he has great delivery on set-pieces. He has that perfect mentality. In the best way possible, he’s a bit crazy on the pitch. He plays with so much energy and is just all over the place, which is perfect for English football.

Which Norwegian players could succeed in the Premier League?

Obviously, you have Kristian Thorstvedt who plays in Italy, and he has the potential to be a great player. Then there’s Jørgen Strand Larsen at Palace, who didn’t have the best end to the season. But for the new ones, I’ll stick with Nusa, Patrick Berg, and Ryerson for now.

What do you make of the idea that Marcus Rashford may just be a squad player if he stays at Manchester United?

In that situation, you’re fighting a losing battle because you know you aren’t going to get game time if the manager has made up his mind.

It’s sad to watch with Rashford, because at this point in his career, he needs to settle down, play for a team where he can build a foundation over a few years, and grow. Hopefully, his future gets sorted out quickly so he can return to his absolute best, even though I think he’s done okay for England during this tournament.

Arsenal have been linked with Manu Kone – would the Roma man suit the Premier League?

It’s always hard when players come straight from the Italian league to be successful in the Premier League. Historically, it’s always been quite tough. They are good players – everyone at that level has quality – and it has nothing to do with technique, tactics, or physical presence. It’s just that some players don’t adapt quickly enough to the speed of the game. When you come to the Premier League, if you don’t adapt fast, you’re done; you simply don’t get that much time. If he goes to the Premier League, he needs to understand exactly how tough it is to come to England and perform week in, week out.

Can you understand some of the criticism Martin Odegaard gets from some Arsenal fans?

I love Martin, but I do understand football fans – that’s just the nature of it. When a key player is out with a few different injuries and comes back looking a bit rusty, if the team drops points or loses a game, it’s always the high-profile players who get the blame. Every player gets criticism from fans; that’s normal. But I cannot understand how any fan can say he’s not a good captain.

He is brilliant for the team because he is an unbelievable player, an unbelievable captain, and a fantastic human being. For some Arsenal fans to say they should get rid of Ødegaard – I cannot understand that. That’s going way too far. I think the vast majority of fans can see how vital he is for the team.

Antonio Nusa has been linked with Premier League clubs – Is he ready to make that step-up and is there a team you think he would suit?

He’s exactly the kind of player that Liverpool fans would love to see. With how he goes one-on-one, creates openings, and provides that distinct X-factor on the wing, I think he would be a great fit.

Do you expect Florian Wirtz to come good this season?

I hope so. When your team signs players of that calibre, you really want them to be successful. You see how good they were before they arrived, and you want them to adapt quickly. You just want them to show what they can do on the pitch. You see flashes of it in some games, but he has to be consistent enough, and we definitely need to see more from him.

What do you make of Ayyoub Bouaddi’s chances of succeeding at Liverpool?

He’s a talented boy and can offer something different creatively, but again, my primary concern with these signings is always the transition from another league into the sheer physicality of the Premier League. I don’t know if Liverpool would view him as someone who walks straight into the starting XI or just a valuable squad rotation player.

Former Liverpool player Fabinho has been linked with a move to Real Madrid – is that a mistake?

It’s a hard one because at 32, in that specific defensive midfield role, you need to be able to move your feet incredibly quickly to shut down transitions and stop counter-attacks. He’s a great player, but to play at the absolute pinnacle for Madrid? Unless Mourinho sees a specific tactical void that he thinks only Fabinho can fill, I struggle to see it happening. Real Madrid’s midfield requires a level of energy and dynamic intensity that I’m not sure he can provide at this stage of his career.

Is Patrick Berg good enough for the PL and is there a club he would suit?

Of course Patrick Berg is good enough for the Premier League. Any team that needs a hard-working central midfielder who can really control the tempo of the game—a bit like the Rodri role for Manchester City. Any team that needs that kind of anchor would benefit. He’s a top-tier player; he proved it in the Champions League for Bodø/Glimt, and now he’s doing it in the World Cup. I would be very surprised if he doesn’t get a move to a bigger club this year.

Who do you think is the best LB in the world?

Nuno Mendes. His pace, power, and work rate. His ability to run up and down the flank while remaining equally effective offensively and defensively is incredible. For me, he’s the best left-back in the world right now.

Folarin Balogun impressed with the US and also Monaco last season – could he cut it in the Premier League, and which club would he suit?

The Premier League is the ultimate destination for everyone, there’s no doubt about it. Whatever people claim, everyone wants to play there. At the same time, it’s also much harder to succeed because of the sheer competition. I know from my own experience – if you don’t perform instantly, clubs have the financial power to find three or four other options to replace you.

So yes, quality-wise, Balogun is absolutely good enough for the Premier League and could be very successful, but it ultimately hinges on the mental aspect of handling that pressure.

Sverre Nypan was sent on loan to Boro last season. Do you think Enzo Maresca will give him an opportunity to be part of his City first team this year / how important is it that he has a good pre-season and impresses his new boss?

With a new manager in place, it’s tough to say for sure. I think he will probably spend pre-season with City and then most likely be sent out on loan, because what he needs most right now is guaranteed game time.

He’s a fantastic player, but he just needs to develop the physical aspect of his game. He needs to play regularly, whether that’s in a good Championship side or a similar level – he just needs consistent minutes at a higher level than he’s had.

Is Sindre Walle Egeli ready for life in the PL after impressing in the Championship last season?

When you look at certain types of young players, you always think they have the raw quality to make it. But people need to understand that the Premier League is a completely different beast – it’s a different style of football and an entirely different level of pressure. You need to be completely prepared mentally, not just quality-wise, because there are a lot of players with pure technical talent, but there is so much more required behind the scenes. So I’m not entirely sure yet (if Sindre Walle Egeli is ready for Premier League football) but hopefully, we will see more young Norwegians step up, excel in the Premier League, and help the national team grow. It’s a tough league to break into outside of the established names we’ve discussed.

John Stones to Liverpool, Roma or Fulham?

I’ve always rated John Stones highly. But yeah, I don’t think Liverpool are going to be looking at that option. To be honest, he could be a really good signing for Roma, and maybe he wants to try something completely new abroad as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decides to go to Europe.

What do you make of Andrey Santos to Man Utd?

Well, he’s a talented player, but I didn’t see that move coming, to be honest. It just shows you that if you need a specific profile and you don’t get your first or second-choice targets, you have to bring someone in because you desperately need that presence in your team. Whether he’s going to be successful or not, you never know.

Who is your tip for the title next season?

This season at the top is going to be fascinating. It will be interesting to see how strong Chelsea look, whether Man United can kick on, and if Arsenal can maintain their level at the top. Will the title race shift? Will Liverpool step up under the new manager? Every single team is trying to improve their squad right now, so we might have the most competitive Premier League race we’ve seen in many years. It won’t just be a two-horse race between Arsenal and City; I think more teams will be actively involved at the top.

Why were you suited to the Premier League as soon as you joined Liverpool?

Basically, because my style of play was built on physical presence, running up and down, and fighting. My understanding of English football back then was that you need to run and fight for everything. That’s also what the fans demanded – you can miss a pass or miss a chance, but you must keep fighting for the shirt. That’s exactly what I did. As soon as I got that appreciation from the fans, it gave me the confidence that I was good enough, and then you start playing your game and score a few goals against certain teams, which makes it even easier. It’s all about having the right mentality and the right style of play. Obviously, English football has changed a bit now because we have more of the Pep Guardiola influence on style, but when I arrived, it was all about showing the passion that you really wanted to be there.