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Everton scouting Marcus Pedersen

In the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, Everton are said to be one of four Premier League clubs to have watched Norwegian striker Marcus Pedersen last Friday, as he scored two goals against Hungary for the Under-21 national side.

Pedersen has scored 6 goals in 13 matches for top flight side Strømsgodset this season, and the 19-year-old is one of the most promising strikers in the country.

Being a Norwegian, and having watched Pedersen for the last couple seasons, I'm unsure as to whether I think Everton should go for him or not. He is 19, too old to go into the Academy, and at the same time I struggle to see him getting into our first team at once.

Also he is known to be a moody player, sometimes getting into unlucky situations on and off the field. That being said; Craig Bellamy has been one of the most successful players from Wales in the PL the last 10 years — so who knows?
Kjetil Moen, Oslo, Norway Posted 01/06/2010 at 12:50:00

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Mike Allison
1 Posted 01/06/2010 at 14:02:51

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I've never heard of Pedersen, but it seems simliar to the rumour about Joao Silva from CD Aves, a bit of a punt on an unknown 19-year-old. Does anyone know whether the Silva thing is on or off or what?

Do any of our Norwegian or Portuguese friends know much about either of these players or how they're regarded in their home countries?

As for their role if they did sign, we should expect a season of the odd sub appearance and maybe a start in the Carling Cup... With us not being in Europe, I'll be hoping we take that competition very seriously, although that's a conversation for a different thread.

Glen Anderson
2 Posted 01/06/2010 at 14:50:32

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Judging from YouTube he seems a little slow but strong and with a good eye for goal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODGbPJ160hQ

Youtube means bugger all of course but it's all we fans outside of Norway have.

Any more opinions from Norway-based Everton fans?

Ben Jones
3 Posted 01/06/2010 at 16:29:20

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Interesting link, but if we get Joao Silva, and obviously we already have Beckford, it seems unlikely.

But Norway and other Scandanavian countries is a good source of talent. They seem to adapt well to the Prem, better than any other place in Europe, I'd say.

Did anything ever happen to Rindaroy? The left back we apparently tried to get in January? Wouldn't mind for cover for Baines, god knows Baines needs competition!

Gaute Lie
4 Posted 01/06/2010 at 16:44:30

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The biggest Norwegian newspaper, VG, says that four english PL- clubs are following M Pedersen. Sunderland, Fulham WBA - and Everton.

Pedersen is in my eyes not good enough for the first team, but if EFC coult get him for £500,000 - £100,0000, I would go for it. This 180 cm striker could be a good player for Everton in the near future, just not today.

He's not a technically gifted player (Norwegian players seldom are), but he's strong and a fighter. And his age is good (almost 20).

How old is that Yak really, again?

Aidy Dews
5 Posted 01/06/2010 at 18:08:49

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This is from his wiki — 'He is regarded as one of the most promising young strikers in Norway to date. His combativity, workrate and fearless playing style earn him comparisons to England international striker Wayne Rooney.'. His goalscoring record for club and country, from u-16's to u-21's is quite good too.

Aidy Dews
6 Posted 01/06/2010 at 18:11:26

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He doesn't look that slow to me in that clip Glen, he's got a bit of pace about him, and he looks quite stocky and strong too. What I liked about what I saw of him in that clip is if he gets a sighter, he'll have a go, or he'll try and take his man on and get his shot off.

Looks a raw talent and if he is as cheap as what someone as said up there, anything between £500,000 - £1,000,000, then he might be worth taking a punt on. Man Utd did it with Solskjaer and look how he turned out; there's always these types of players knocking about and sometimes you've just got to take a gamble on 'em.

Thor Sørensen
7 Posted 01/06/2010 at 20:43:11

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Hmmm, what to say. Well, he's a brave and determined lad, loves to run at defences and can shoot from just about anywhere.

He's got reasonable pace, decent strength and loads of enthusiasm.

I'd say the Norwegian top divison can be likened to the level of bottom half Championship or the SPL and Marcus Pedersen's been rather free-scoring in Norway. Nowhere near the national side yet though.

Can he survive in the Premier League? Possibly, with a bottom-half club. Even make a decent impact? Wouldn't rule it out entirely. Shoot us into the top 4? Not a snowball's chance in hell.

However, he's still only 19 so he's got time on his side and if we can get him for less than £1m I reckon it makes sense. He's certainly got potential!

Jason Lam
8 Posted 02/06/2010 at 02:51:02

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Who's the next Tor Andre Flo? He was ace.

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