Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken dismissed suggestions that his side hold an advantage over England because several of his players compete in the Premier League, insisting England’s leading performers play outside the division ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.
Norway will rely on Premier League stars Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard as they chase a place in the semi-finals, but Solbakken pointed to Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham when discussing England’s biggest threats.
“I don’t know if it’s favourable. Some of the players have obviously played against many of the English players,” Solbakken said.
“The two best English players may not be playing in the Premier League. They’re playing in Spain and Germany, so you can also take it that way.”
Solbakken’s comments referred to Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, and Bellingham, who represents Real Madrid. He did not suggest their status as England’s best players was an objective fact.
Norway reached the quarter-finals after a surprise victory over Brazil, but Solbakken warned his players against believing that result would count for anything against England.
“I think it gave us more confidence, but every game lives its own life,” he said. “Every team does their analysis, so there are no secrets.”
The Norway coach also confirmed captain Martin Odegaard had recovered after concerns over illness earlier in the week.
“It’s right that Odegaard was sick. It’s his uncle who is a physio, he is sick. It’s not Martin,” Solbakken said. “Everything is fine, every player is fine.”
Solbakken also praised Haaland’s influence within the squad, describing the Manchester City striker as “a great leader on and off the pitch”, while adding that Odegaard carries extra responsibility with Norway because of his experience and leadership.
