With the summer transfer window open for business, West Ham will be looking to strengthen the side in hope of improving for next season.
One main area of the team that will need focus is the midfield, especially with Declan Rice and Manuel Lanzini set to depart.
Green Street Hammers writer James has been looking at potential signings for the Hammers, analysing possible transfer targets for the club to sign. This transfer player profile details 24-year-old Norwegian international Ola Brynhildsen, who has become a well-known name in his home country.
West Ham scouting report. Should the Hammers sign the next Martin Odegaard?
The midfielder has produced some mesmerising performances over the last two years and is becoming one of the Norway national team’s most important players.
Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard have dazzled in the Premier League, and it will soon be Brynhildsen’s turn to light up – maybe for West Ham.
QUICK FACTS
Full Name: Ola Brynhildsen
Age: 24
Nationality: Norwegian
Place of Birth: Bærum, Norway
Club: Molde
Position: Midfielder
Honours: 1x Eliteserien, 1x Norwegian Cup
BIOGRAPHY
Ola Brynhildsen joined Stæbak in 2015 at the age of 15 and was promoted to the first team when he was 18 years old. He played three full seasons for Stæbak, scoring 12 goals in 57 games before he transferred to Molde.
His time at Molde has helped him to gain increasing attention, and last season was his best to date in terms of statistics. He scored 11 goals in 19 games, and he had experience playing the Europa Conference League. Brynhildsen was a key part in helping his side to win the Norwegian top flight title that same season.
His father, Rune, is a journalist in Norway.
STYLE OF PLAY
Brynhildsen is an engertic, dynamic and technical midfielder. He tends to play as an attacking midifielder or as a number eight, often going forward with his teammates and creating chances through his strong passing range. As a result of his attacking talents, it could be said that he is similar to Kevin de Bruyne and David Beckham.
Brynhildsen thrives the most in a high-tempo counter-attack, which is something David Moyes’ side has been consistently good at. Once his team has retrieved possession of the ball, he begins to run directly towards the opposition’s half. He shows a concise dribbling ability in order to apply pressure on the defence and to threaten down the middle.
Bryhildsen usually plays in a number 10 or false nine role during a counter-attack. He usually creates a one-on-one situation for himself or he feeds off a striker. If he decides to take on the goalkeeper, he uses his close ball control and ball carrying to steady himself before he shoots. Having a fellow striker nearby also helps him, and in this situation, he prefers to pass in the box. These two traits make him a consistent goalscorer and playmaker.