Players for Top leagues #8&9— Rasmus Carstensen&Victor Kristansen
The eighth and ninth players on the list of interesting options for strengthening in the top European championships are Rasmus Carstensen&Victor Kristansen.
Rasmus Carstensen’s profile:
Age: 21
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Role: Right defender
Club: “Silkeborg”
National team: Denmark U21
Nationality: Dane
Victor Kristansen’s profile:
Age: 19
Height: 181 cm
Role: Left defender
Club: “Copenhagen”
National team: Denmark U21
Nationality: Dane
In this season both Rasmus and Victor have become key players in their clubs. Carstensen is one of Silkeborg’s main assets. The team strives for the top 6 of the league and the fight for the European qualification zone. Christiansen is the main left-back for Copenhagen, who have won 5 of 6 matches in the Conference League group.
Both are the main defenders of Denmark’s youth team. Rasmus spent 30 more matches in senior football, but this is understandable by the two years difference. Each is a graduate of their own clubs. The players know each other very well and get along well in the national team.
Rasmus Carstensen made his debut for “Silkeborg” at the age of 18. Then “Silkeborg” was in the first division, and the player himself as a winger or even in the center of the attack. The next season, which turned out to be covid, Rasmus almost did not appear on the field. The team moved to the Superliga. In 30 games next season, he gave 11 assists, which contributed to the promotion. From the first division he was called up to the youth European championship, where he played in victorious games with France and Russia, and the Danes came out from the first place in the group. The playoffs were already held at the end of May. In the quarterfinals Denmark played against the Germany, it came to a penalty, Rasmus played 120 minutes. Denmark took off offensively, and the debutant of the national team, 18-year-old left-back Viktor Christiansen, did not realize the decisive attempt.
Kristansen played only 3 incomplete matches for “Copenhagen” that season. Nevertheless, in “Copenhagen” they trusted the young player, and Victor, as it turned out, was ripe for playing regularly. Trusting the young player was also a logical step because the defense left much to be desired. In the first four matches of the Superliga, he made three assists and showed excellent performance. Until the end of the season, he held all games on the field, except for one. So, the call to the youth team was justified.
Rasmus Carstensen’s strong features:
1. Runs without the ball and carries. Carstensen is the leader of the league in this indicator. Interestingly, most often he makes them at the end of matches.
2. Stamina and fitness. Rasmus has played in all matches for the club and national team this season and has never been substituted.
3. Effectiveness in defense. Doesn’t lose an opponent, works well in tackles. Most often, he enters into challenges in defense, 57% successfully — the third indicator in the league among the full backs.
Victor Kristansen’s strong features:
1. Dribbles. Viktor has the most successful dribbling in Denmark Superliga. 62% successful with 2.2 attempts per match.
2. Passing to the penalty area. One of the leaders of the league in created chances — 0.8 on average in 90 minutes.
3. Effectiveness in defense. If Carstensen is the third among fullbacks in challenges in defense, then Kristansen is the second. 63% success rate of his duels in defense.
Both players weak features:
It’s hard to talk about their weaknesses. Rasmus looks like a balanced player with no weaknesses, plays in different formations and roles. The situation with Christiansen is identical, but he is two years younger.
The only thing to fear for is adaptation to another country and league. Both players are still young and may not give the same performance that they show in their home clubs.
Statistics:
The table provides a comparison of Karstensen’s and Kristansen’s key metrics. The comparison also involves players from similar championship (Norway, Bjorkan moved to “Hertha” in winter) and Joakim Maehle.
In general, the comparison shows that players need to improve in order to play at the level of the top leagues. The potential for development is visible, in the future they should leave the Denmark Superliga and declare themselves.
You can more clearly see the qualities of the players from the video and cuts presented below.
Victor Kristansen:
Rasmus Carstensen:
What is the next step ?
These are two ready-made strong footballers who will develop in the near future. You need to give them the conditions for this and everything will work out. In my opinion, the Bundesliga can provide the best conditions for the Danes. Wing backs in the German championship are mostly attacking. Therefore, small flaws in the defense will be forgiven, and their passing skills, accurate crosses and key passes will help to gain a foothold in the starting lineup. Germany likes to give young people a chance, so clubs like “Mainz”, “Leipzig” or “Koln” would be glad to see talented full-backs.
What’s the result?
Two wing-backs. One plays on the left, the other on the right. Indispensable in their clubs. They are good both in defense and in attack. The cost of Rasmus Carstensen on Transfermarkt is 700 thousand euros, Victor Christiansen — 3 million euros. Rasmus’ contract until June 2024, Victor — until the end of 2025.
