This category will keep your club up to date on the best players in Scandinavia. The players will be judged on several criteria’s such as; talent, potential, how they perform, transfer value, contract status etc. The list of players will be updated on a monthly basis.

The players who has got their own scouting report will not feature in the Top 5-list anymore. An example of this is the Dame N`Doye-report which you can read at: http://www.scan-scout.com/2012/03/06/dame-ndoye-fc-copenhagen/

Use contact page to get in touch if your club wants scouting reports on any players in Scandinavia. All material can be translated into your required language. Such reports contain information like highlighting the players’ strengths and weaknesses. We also put an extra focus on the players approach on the training field as well as the social bit. At last full match-reports, with the player/players scouted on, is described in full details.

For the player to be recommended and approved by Scandinavian scouting agency it is important for us to bring all available information on the table – this to ensure that your club investment is looked carefully after. Since we don`t work with any agents I feel that we are a more reliable source than football agents when bringing all necessary information on the table and/or judging a players potential.

Example on reports are delivered for free to club-representatives on request. Please use the contact page for contacting us.

Thislist was last updated on 04.11.2012.

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1. VEGARD FORREN, MOLDE – CENTRAL DEFENDER 

– Since Vegard Forren entered the list in September (http://www.scan-scout.com/2012/09/11/top-5-senior-recommendations-in-scandinavia-5/) he has just kept on delivering performances of the highest standard. I was overjoyed when I saw his man of the match performance on his debut against Switzerland a few weeks back. His performance the week after, against Cyprus, surely cemented his place as a regular within the team.

Scouts from various clubs have watched him closely these last months. Yesterday there were representatives from Belgium side Club Brugge to watch him against Tromsø IL. Again he surely was the man of the match and by doing so he continued in the same pattern as he has done since the summer. My honest opinion about Vegard Forren is that Club Brugge will not be a suitable club for him. I would like to see him in a bigger league. The reason for me saying so is based on his his development these last years. The steps he has taken at Molde can be compared to Brede Hangeland achievements at FC Copenhagen. We all remember where he ended up and I believe that Vegard Forren is ready for one of the top leagues.

2. JILOAN HAMAD, MALMö FF – MIDFIELDER

– Hamad has been one of my favorites in Scandinavian football for quite some time. This year I feel that he`s been Malmø FF top player and probably the main reason why they nearly won the league. He`s a natural leader on the pitch who is always a threat with his clever passing and movement. He scores goals and creates so much for his team, not only in the Swedish league, but out in Europe as well. The amount of international experience he`s gained from the Sweden Under-21 side is also a factor which shows what kind of character he is. I feel confident that he will move up a level soon so that he will play regularly with Kim Kallstrøm and Rasmus Elm for the national team. He`s the player that will not settle for a role on the bench as he has the skills of contributing on the pitch when he gets his chance. The same thing applies for his role at club level. Jiloan Hamad is capable of making an immediately impact in whatever team that decides to bring him in. His performances surely haven`t gone unnoticed for bigger clubs. With his contract running out in the near future, there is going to be interest for his services – and rightly so I may add.
Written earlier about Jiloan Hamad: http://www.scan-scout.com/2012/06/30/top-5-senior-recommendations-in-scandinavia-4/

3. JOEL POHJANPALO, HJK HELSINKI – STRIKER

– We have all heard about famous Finnish players such as Sami Tuomas Hyypiä, Jari Litmanen and Jussi Jääskeläinen. What’s similar for them all is that they played over a 100 matches in Finland before moving to bigger clubs abroad. Joel Pohjanpalo is in his first full season with Helsinki, but has already proven that he is ready for bigger challenges abroad. Last year he scored goals for fun in the Finnish second division, now he`s a threat for any opponent. He has already shown his abilities in the home league and out in Europe. He was he a constant threat for the Celtic defense when Helsinki tried to qualify for the Champions league this season. When he got the chance of playing against Athletic Bilbao he also gave in a good performance by scoring against the Basque club in the Europa league qualifier. Since then Pohjanpalo has entered the Under-21 national team and scored for them recently. He`s a lively player up front who has got technique and pace. He has a great understanding of the game and he isn`t afraid of having a go at goal, or to try that extra dribble when he gets the chance. It will be interesting to see which club who can land his signature during the next window. His price tag has gone up during these last month’s so bigger clubs in Scandinavia won`t have a chance of signing him. He still is only 18 years old so he would benefit of playing at a level that isn`t miles away from what he is used to at the moment.

 

4. CELSO BORGES, AIK STOCKHOLM – MIDFIELDER

– It is all about finding the right level at the right time. That was the reason why I told a Premiership club last year that I couldn’t approve him as their next signing. I told them if they were going to sign him they needed to loan him out so that he could improve as a player. Obviously they wanted a player that could make an immediately impact so they decided not to sign him. Celso Borges did instead himself a favor and packed his back for bigger tasks in Sweden. I was pleased to see him staying in Scandinavia and his club choice was a wise one. AIK Stockholm had ambitions of winning the title in Sweden and doing well in Europe. It was a perfect scenario for a player to prove that he has what it takes to play at a higher level. Borges has delivered in the Swedish league, but he`s had difficulties in finding his place on the pitch. Don’t get me wrong, he is the star player of the team, but he`s played in different roles during the season. He started as a striker but has eventually ended up playing as a central midfielder. During these last months it has been an ideal position for him as he truly can show his brilliance from the middle of the park. His technique is among the best in Scandinavia and combined with his passing skills you realize what a special player he is. His vision enables him to take advantage of any defense as he has shown in Sweden and out in Europe. From his midfield position he can be involved in the game more often and I think it suits him fine. He does a great job back in defense and he is always a goal threat when advancing forward. His heading skills is great to have when his side is defending, but it can also be a deadly threat in attack. However, AIK seems to have a problem what to decide; Borges silky right foot to take the set pieces or his heading abilities. In fact it’s not a dilemma/problem – more like a luxury problem that you as a manager desperately crave after having.

So I believe it is fair to say that he has taken a few more steps into the right direction during 2012. Bigger clubs surely will follow his progress during the upcoming fixtures. He might need another year in Sweden to develop and gain more experience as a player. The question is whether certain clubs dare to wait that long before making a move for him.

5. MAY MAHLANGU, HELSINGBORG – CENTRAL MIDFIELDER

– Mahlangu have had a bit of slow start to the season, but the more matches he`s played the better he`s been. His form-top came in good time as Helsingborg were trying to get into the Champions League and fighting for the title in the Swedish league. Even though Helsingborg lost to Celtic FC I felt that May Mahlangu showed that he has that extra gear to play at a higher level. Especially in the first leg he played some really good football and quite frankly he should have scored at least one goal there. His passing and energy were at the highest standard which I hope bigger clubs also saw. The return leg back in Scotland was always going to be a difficult leg after losing 0-2 at home. Nevertheless he tried to play his part, but it was clear to me that. Not only Mahlangu, but the entire team was kind of gob smacked after the first legs result. The match ended 2-0 which saw Celtic FC go through after 4-0 on aggregate. Even if the Swedes lost by a clear margin I felt that the midfields between the two teams were quite even in the terms of quality. All credit to Mahlangu for stabilizing their midfield with his running and passing. The major difference between the two sides was, not surprisingly, the lack of quality up front.

I am excited about watching Mahlangu and his teammates for the reminder of the season. Hopefully Mahlangu will keep playing his own game and stay focused on achieving things here in Sweden at the moment. His chances of playing in bigger leagues will come sooner rather than later.
Undoubtedly he was the best player in the Swedish league last season. He was the architect in the middle of the park behind his team success.  South Africa gave him a much deserve debut on the national team which obviously didn`t do any clubs any favor in trying to land the midfielder for cheap. His passing, vision and stamina makes him able to play at the highest level so it would be very interesting to see which club who is able to sign the player. With Helsingborg losing to Celtic FC in the Champions League, they will be more reluctant to let him leave for a sensible price.

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