Sondre Ørjasæter: Sarpsborg 08’s Refined Playmaker by Jaden Dakwa

Sondre Ørjasæter: Sarpsborg 08’s Refined Playmaker by Jaden Dakwa

Sondre Ørjasæter can affect football matches even when he does not score.

Ørjasæter’s best attribute could be his football brain. 

He makes very intelligent decisions on the pitch.

Football intelligence can often be described as a subjective value. Some people will argue what the best decision to make on the pitch in a given scenario is. Some people will say a player should have made a different decision. 

Ørjasæter’s decision making is more objective. His intelligent awareness is rooted in fact. There is evidence of his situational acumen.

He has created 11 big chances and ranks sixth amongst all Eliteserien players, Norway’s top-flight league, in this statistic, according to Sofascore.

Ørjasæter is playing close to two key passes a match on average, 1.9, and has been a key creator for Sarpsborg 08.

The combination of his football brain and his technical ability could help him to have a long career in European football.

These skills are serviceable and attractive to many teams across the world. Speed of play is often a vital factor in performance for the best leagues in the world.

Ørjasæter is still developing. The promising element is that the 20-year-old takes risks in the final third while also retaining the ball.

He completes 2.1 successful dribbles per game on average, and has a 52% completion rate for dribbling. 

In La Liga, Vinicius Junior completes 2.8 successful dribbles per game. He has a completion rate of 43% for take-ons.

The comparison is used to display a trend. More take-ons attempted could provide a higher risk of their completion rate declining. This is not a comparison of play styles between the two players.

Ørjasæter often opts for one-touch passes. No player moves faster than the ball can. Vinicius Junior has learned this throughout his maturation process as a player. He is more confident and plays faster. He is releasing the ball off of his foot on some occasions quicker, but of course he is a winger that thrives off of creativity.

Ørjasæter usually thrives off his first touch and ball control. Some of his take-ons are not flashy. He uses feints to dart past opponents. He speeds up and slows down to shift his body weight past defenders. Then, a player can use directional touches outside of the path ahead of oncoming defenders. 

Many diminutive playmakers such as Eden Hazard and David Silva were apt at shifting their body weight to glide past defenders.

There are multiple ways to beat defenders, but the speed of play is once again a pivotal factor. 

Ørjasæter can be hazardous to opposition in tight areas and also in expansive patterns of play. His speed is a threat on counter attacks and in transition.

The goal he scored against current league leaders, Brann, is a reminder of his attacking prowess with gaps to play into.

After a clearance from a corner, Ørjasæter got into a foot race with an opposing defender and ran into open space. He received the ball via a deflection after a through ball from Daniel Job. He used a fake shot to stun the goalkeeper and coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper from close range.

Sarpsborg 08 are currently seeking a finish in the top half of the table. The club has finished in eighth for three consecutive seasons (2021, 2022, and 2023). The 2024 season will culminate on December 1st. Sarpsborg 08 currently has 33 points. The club is only one point removed from eight place club, KFUM Oslo, with two matches left to play. If results go their way, this is an achievable goal. 

There are 16 teams in the division and eighth place would cap off a decent season for the club.

Ørjasæter is the most valuable player on Sarpsborg 08, at €6.00m, according to Transfermarkt.com. The closest player does not even reach 17% of the estimated value Ørjasæter has.

The second most valuable player is Aimar Sher at €900,000. 

Ørjasæter is the third most valuable player on his international side, Norway U21, his market value sits behind young stars Sverre Nypan and Andreas Schjelderup. 

His form for Norway U21 has not been as prolific, in six appearances he has no goal contributions.

It is important to note he has never played a full 90 minutes for the team.

Ørjasæter will be turning 21 in less than two weeks and he has ample time to become a major contributor on the international stage.

Ørjasæter is usually deployed as a left winger, but he could consider playing in midfield.

There could be a role for the youngster as an attacking midfielder or deeper in midfield. Due to his technical ability and playmaking he could help to dictate play at the center of the pitch. He also has a fantastic passing range for a winger. Some wingers are content with usually playing short passes. He is able to play long balls to help switch the play and point of attack. As he enters his prime, this will only help his career. Athleticism can fade, but fundamental tools will usually always stick with a player.

His crosses into the box are usually put into very good areas. He often attempts chipped balls past opposing back lines. Clipped balls off the ground onto incoming runners into the box. These passes are effective in transition or against low blocks.

There are very few weaknesses in Ørjasæter’s game. He can continue to use his weak foot more. He does well to use it in crossing scenarios when he attacks the byline.

As Ørjasæter continues to improve, he may be ready for a move to an even bigger league.