AaB-Aalborg

Just remember to give him time to develop and build some muscles on - and allow for him to fail and play a few bad games Despite that he seems to blend in well, we have yet to see him against PL-opposition. That being said, i think it looks promising, in my eyes he has shown that he has the potential to succed and Lambert has an idea about how he wants him to play. Hopefuelly Helenius will be able to make an impact already this season for you.

Don't know what highlights you have acces to on AVTV, but here are some from Bochum

Here is full highligts from the game, posted in the AaB-forum Edit: sorry, that is probably from your match thread for Helenius pronunciation, try listening to this clip at around 0:22 and again 0:26

Correct. However he learned it at bit during the last season in the danish league - but as said before, he needs some weight (muscles) to do it on PL-level. Helenius is by far best with the front towards goal and the ball at his feet. He is not really a poacher either. That is also why he might fit better on the wing or in the hole in your 4-3-3.

So how is his pace ? not bad for him but he is not really a player that is so reliant on it. Either way, the danish guy is right. We cannot and should not expect Helenius to step it up this season, I believe he will be a great signing but we should be a little bit patient with this one. I'm asking that because it is said that he could play as a winger .. Because we already have Gabby and Tonev who have great pace .. Weimann isn't bad too .. So is it worth putting him instead one of those ? or just change the system to 4-4-2 when he's in ?! or put him behind the striker ? He is pretty fast. Nothing crazy, but well above average i would say. He would not be a traditional winger, but a attacker on the wing - i think that would suit him fine. Probably he will also fit into the hole behind the striker as i said, as there will likely be a bit more room for his shooting. I have'nt seen enough Villa matches to say where he will fit the best, but Lambert will probably give you a hint in the preseason matches, as to where he sees him playing.

Helenius needs more strengt in order to score goals like that consistently on PL level - as you have also observed, he is best when he gets a little room, which will not happen in PL (at least not very often). If you get 25M for Benteke i am sure you will buy a replacement. I am not saying that there is no chance that Helenius is able to step up to the challenge already from this season, but it will be a big risk to bet all your money on him. He is used to playing 4-4-2, so will also need to adjust to the new style of play. I don't see him as your front man on a regular basis in this season. Maybe in the hole or on the wings supporting the top striker, i think that is Lamberts plan for him. I hope Villa get a replacement. Both for Villa and for Helenius. Give him a little time and patience

I can see that preseason is coming up - 3 games in Germany this week? How do you follow your team in these matches, are there a live stream or is it "only" by live commentary on the web page or facebook/twitter? I look forward to see how Lambert is going to use Helenius, i guess he will have a half or two in some of the matches.

He does'nt normally show that many emotions. Almost only scoring and winning can put a smile on his face

A small interview from tipsbladet.dk with our new Director of Sports, Allan Gaarde. He is replacing our current Director through approx 20 years, Lynge Jacobsen. He started 2 weeks of tutoring on 14th June. Google translated, hope you can read it As Lynge Jakobsen and Allan Gaarde Tuesday 18 June flew to England to negotiate a Nicklas Helenius sale, the two AaB leaders thought that they figuratively would get a striker with back home. earlier this month AaB sold Nicklas Helenius to Aston Villa and jumped on the summer Superliga trend in relation to selling players to the Premier League. But the club's new sporting director Allan Gaarde reckoned not with that sales would fall into place when he and his teacher, Lynge Jakobsen sat on the plane to Birmingham 18 June. - When we sat on the plane at 6:25 on Tuesday, we had no aspirations. We thought the most that we should try it, be the experience richer, and then see what would happen. We were not sure that there would be a positive outcome. It would be foolish not to spend the time and money to make the attempt. It was the beginning of the trip, said Allan Gaarde for Tipsbladet. - We were not sure how much they knew about Nicklas. How much would it and how much it was a wild shot. There are many suckers in this world. But when you sit face to face, so you can feel on people whether they are serious. And we could feel immediately that they had researched seriously at him. It was a player they saw a future in and wanted to sign. It gave a different climate for negotiations, and so we could try something. One of the main things I have learned on the trip is that it is bullshit to undercut or outbid, for example, that we required eight million pounds, it's incredible stupid. Rather, without being naive and stupid, rather start a realistic place. It gives a better debate. Gaarde is glad sale but denies that it was deliberately timed for him to get a good start. - It was also a calculation of how much Nicklas would give us playing another season. He would get upset and demotivated, if there had been an offer from a club he wildly wanted to. If we pull it out of the equation, could he give us a good position in the league? Could he kick us in the Europa League group stage? You do not know. There are a lot of uncertainties, which could have given us extra money. But it was wishful thinking, this from Aston Villa was cash here and now, and the ones we need. It was a super trade and a good signal to our talent work. Over in the amateur division they are proud. There have been no other talk in Svenstrup in recent days that Helenius started out there. It is the fourth in a few years that have passed from our talent department for big clubs. For Premier League, Juventus, Ajax and Groningen. It's a great signal that we do not stand in the way of these young players.

A little article from Tipsbladet.dk - google translate again Many clubs swarmed about Nicklas Helenius, but in the end was the only Aston Villa, who commanded it, AaB would have for him. It fits the now former AaB'er excellent. Monday 1 July starts Nicklas Helenius' adventures at Aston Villa. He comes to Birmingham with many uncertainties in the luggage. Where should I stay? Where do I play? What number should I play? These are just some of the questions Helenius must ask himself when he goes to England for the first week to stay at a hotel before, the week after taking a training camp with his new teammates. - It's starting to sink in now, but it's still huge that I have to play in the Premier League. Now I am looking forward to start up on Monday. I know that I need to get used to the pace and the league to start with, but by Aston Villa also good. I'll get my chance, says Nicklas Helenius to tipsbladet.dk. For some time Dutch and German clubs raved about Nicklas Helenius. Augsburg and Eintracht Braunschweig was heat on the Dane, but in the end there was nothing to choose from for Aston Villa was the only one who saw the price AaB would have. An award is meant to reach two million pounds - some 18 million - when Helenius has played a number of matches. - There were others in the picture, but they did not have the money AaB would have. So in that way the choice was easy. But when Aston Villa came forward on the pitch, I quickly realized that this was what I would like most. My agent and I looked at the total package and we think it looked good. There was not much to think about, says Nicklas Helenius, who therefore do not take Morten Olsen or his coach Kent Nielsen, who previously played for Aston Villa, for advice. The 22-year-old Dane comes over to a brand new football life where competition for the front three seats primarily called Christian Benteke, Andreas Weimann and Gabriel Agbonlahor. Deep down Helenius could maybe go and hope that the big clubs get serious about the beating claws in Benteke, but if it does, he hides it well. - I hope he gets the club. He could be a great player to play with. Aston Villa sees me also play at the site, and they know I'm the type that likes to go down and out in the field. Such a type is Benteke indeed, and it is the kind of types, they are going for. There I fit. - We have many young players and the manager know that we need a little extra help. He is accustomed to having with young players to do and he knows what it takes. I've had some good talks with him. First, over the phone, and then we talked for an hour when I was over there. He's a **** nice guy and say things straight out, and he knows that I need some time to get used to it all. But I believe in this, and if I sometimes can get into in the beginning, I am happy, says Helenius. Nicklas Helenius managed to play 102 matches and scoring 40 goals for AaB.

That was the google translate part The text in danish is also bad. Basically he is just saying, that he does not expect to play from day one.

So you moved the thread i see, i did wonder why the other one was so quiet... A little article from a danish online-media. Hope the google-translate is OK, don't have time to translate it myself: Helenius: Do not expect playing time from the start Nicklas Helenius does not expect that he will direct for Aston Villa and play. First he must get used to the Premier League and build on the particular physics. AaB striker Nicklas Helenius switched today to the Premier League club Aston Villa. Here he comes in hard company with more skilled attackers, but he sees as something positive. - Of course there is competition, but it also makes me feel better. In the national team there are also many attackers on the tender. It makes more desire and determination to show that you are good enough, says Nicklas Helenius to bold.dk. The long north Jutland does not expect that he go directly to Birmingham and grab a spot on the team. First he must get used to things and build on. - I've been told I get chances if I perform as I have shown, I can. And then I put some things on, and it gives me time. You know, I still need to grow. There is no one expects me to enter and play from the start, and I do not even. It is a development, so it felt like the right club, he says. - Tempo-wise, I get used to the Premier League and learn how to play one or two touches when you can as the attacker. Physical must also be built, although I think I have shown that I am able to keep defenders away. But there must kilos on the body, says Helenius. Nicklas Helenius has signed a three-year contract in the traditional, English club, where he is joined by fellow countryman Jores Okore who switch from FC North Zealand.

Yes there are some very promising young danish players. Especially the danish under 19 national team is considered a "golden generation". They didn't qualify for the under 19 championship because they lost 2-0 to Portugal last weekend. Hypothetical question for you Aalborg BK...............How do you think the Danish under 19's would fair against Aston Villa FC under 19's bearing in mind we are the current European Champions at that level?. I know it was not for me, but interesting question. I would call it a close match, maybe in favor of Denmark - partly because i don't know your U19 that well. I know you won against Ajax, but they were without the danes Fischer and Lucas Andersen, probably the best players in their "youth" department. The problem being a national team however is, that we are a small nation, so for instance our left and right back as well as goalkeeper is not the best. We have former AaB'er Jacob Laursen in Juventus, but i do not know if he is injured at the moment - he played nextgen playoffs as well, as far as i know. Trains with A-team in Juventus from time to time, plays Primavera normally. But we have DC Anders Christensen, who played against your U19 for chelsea in the final in the NextGen. I don't know who is actually the preferred partner to him in the central defence, but AaB's Jakob Blaabjerg used to play it earlier on. He has already had his senior debut for us. So the defence is the weak part of our team. In the midfield we have Pierre Emile Hoejbjerg of Bayern Munich, half french so they are probably thinking about him for the national team already now. He has already played in the bundesliga and been on the bench several times. We have Inters Patrick Olsen, also been on the bench for them several times already, not making any debut as of yet - played nextgen-playoff. Both central midfielders. Then there is Lasse Vigen Christensen, playing for Fulham U21 as their youngest player i think. I don't have a clue how good they are in U21? Then we have Christian Nørgaard playing in the Hamburg SV reserves. Both Lasse and Christian are also midfielders, but a bit more attacking players. Then there is Lucas Andersen and Victor Fischer of Ajax. Lucas has played one cap, ready to step up next season - already been on the bench several times. Fischer on the other hand, has already proved his worth scoring 10 goals in 23 games after his debut last season. He will be a star - was not playing against Portugal U19, as he was with the national team. Last but certainly not least we have Kenneth Zohore, as tall as Helenius with at bit more muscles, playing for the Fiorentina reserves. I do not know who would win, as i do not know your U19-team that much. But i don't think you will be able to top our midfield or attack. Many of these guys are not playing U19 in their clubs and have not for a while. So that could talk for a danish advantage, i don't know if you have any of your U19's playing PL yet?

As DanishVillan said, not much to choose from.There is Cornelius, who definitely will end up in a bigger league, but seems overpriced. Rasmus Falk is very fragile and have yet to prove himself. I do not think he will ever be capable of PL, but 7 goals and 6 assists in 4.000 minutes starting 44 of 59 games played, talks for a guy who have yet to prove himself in the Superliga. I see him reaching his top level in Belgium or Holland. Central midfielder Casper Sloth (21) from AGF might develop into a good player. Decent priced, already 2 caps for the national team. If he plays a solid next season and continues his development, i don't see why he should not be a PL-subject. Our own Kasper Kusk (21) is also one of the most talented players in the league, got his breakthrough this season. Had trouble scoring this spring, so needs to step up and deliver a good next season. Will be sold next summer (90% certain), Crystal Palace was reportedly interested, but i think he wish to stay for a season, to be ready for the move. Maybe next year Villa? Here is a little video of Kusk - also with some assists to and from Helenius. Some say he is similar to David Silva, i don't know. But he is good when it works for him, needs to produce a bit more next season. Also see 1.49 and 3.39 for Helenius headers - not a strength, but he got the hang of it at the end of the season Cheers

You're welcome. I will, and i might drop by Villa Park when (not if ) he is starting for you in a year or two. Villa will probably also become more regular on danish tv, with both Okore and Helenius in the team. Last season we had about 3-5 live matches from each PL-round.

Ahh my apologize, did not see that haha. Yeah good price for us, a little disappointing for you guys. Have you got a replacement lined up? haha yes, from an AaB-supporters point of view - for you it is a bargain - no risk as you say, 1.2M is peanuts for you guys and he definetely has potential. 1.2M is about 2 times our equity value, so i am not all sad No replacement, we rely on our youth system to provide us with something, and maybe a minor signing. Maybe this guy, 18 years-old Lukas Spalvis from our youth department, you can come get him in 3 years or so He scored this goal for Lithuania U21 last week

Danish media are saying 1.2m and clauses, personal terms are expected to be settled right now and medical this afternoon. Congrats! I am a little dissapointed with the transfer fee, but happy that he ends up in Villa. Treat him well

Just remember, that for every goal, he has probably missed a chance or two as well. For instance the free kick, there have probably been 10 before and after, where it has ended up a bit over goal or right in the keepers arms. I think the important thing is the ability to get to these chances and the ability to make these goals, the succes rate can always be improved - you can't teach everybody to shoot like D. Luiz for instance. Also the goals where he just places a weak shot in the second before the keeper expect it (for instance 1.40 into the video above), if the keeper does pick it up - Helenius comes off looking a bit stupid. But he is ready to do it again a second later, and when it is succesful, it is the keeper that comes off looking stupid. He has something, that you can't just train to be good at. Here is a last video with a few extra goals, just to show that he can also make an easy goal from time to time, though not being his speciality. 1.11, 1.51, 2.14 and 2.23 in, there are som poachers goals and also a few penalty scorings in there as well. Enjoy

Just a little extra video for you guys. Here are some extra and new goals, i have'nt seen in your linked videos. after 1.15 a long shot in a training match (the guy dribling and assisting is Lucas Andersen at age 17 - already sold to Ajax) From 2.02 to 2.25 there are 3 new goals to youtube - his first header goal, a placed shot and his second header goal (a lot better than the first) 2.37 - 2.49 a further 2 new goals to youtube, 1st knocking the ball past the keeper, the 2nd a little 'lucky' drible and a shot surprising the keeper 2.54 - stunning placed long shot, i could not belive it when he did it it came out of nowhere after an anonymous display in that match, as far as i remember 3.35 chipping the keeper link: I have no doubt, that he needs to step up in order to be a starter in Villa, as Papillion is writing. There is never a guarantee that players succed when moving on to a higher level. As there will be no guarantee with Okore neither. But i believe that both players definetely have the potential and Lambert is a manager that can help them fulfill it. They have both turned down big clubs (Okore - Chelsea, Helenius - Sporting CP) because they did not provide them with a good plan - they both feel that Villa i right and have thought it through. A little story on Helenius. I don't know how your youth league structure is exactly, but in Denmark we have the "ynglinge"-league as the last step before senior leavel. This is the age groups 17 and 18 years old, so 1st and 2nd year players. Helenius was given a youth-contract but was dissapointing as 1st year. The youth coaches evaluated him and said, that they almost regretted handing him a contract. He told in an interview later, that he was kind of furious - thinking "i will show them". As 2nd year he was the profile and top scorer on the team, i don't remember if he was top scorer of the league as well. He now moved up as a senior. In the first ½season he started ot being substituted on late in the game and endning op playing full matches at the winter break (16 games of 19 played - 7 first games coming in from the bench for averagely 15 minutes, last 9 games he started 8 where 3 was full time playing 85 minutes on average). he bagged 5 goals, made 2 assists. The team was however playing really bad facing relegation, so it was decided over the winter to spend a considerable amount getting a few experienced players in, among others an attacker on loan. We ended up being seconds away from relegation, but saved our a** - that is another story. With the experienced attacker joining the squad, Helenius ended up on the bench in the spring matches and did not score for the entire spring. He told that he was frustrated that they did not trust him to do the job and help save the club, and once again was decided to prove his worth to the team, when the experienced attacker left us over the summer. Helenius was once again trusted as our primary attacker and has since steadily improved to be our best player, making 14 goals and 7 assist in his first season and 16 goals and 7 assist in the second season, playing in 65 of 66 matches. Every time he has been determined to prove himself he has succeded in the past. Steadily improving. Now some people in Denmark are saying, Helenius can't make it in PL yet, he should go to a dutch team first and develop further. He favours the PL and you can hear in the interviews with him in danish media, that Lambert have told him his plans and he is really happy with it - loving the prospect of playing for a club like Villa. I am sure he will be determined, and even if You doubt him, I might doubt him - will he fulfill the potential - i'm certain he will do hist utmost to one day be one of the first names on Lamberts block, when setting the starting 11. With my knowledge of Helenius, for 1.5M, i would definetely risk taking him in. I watched a 1-2 defeat to Arsenal at Villa Park back in december 2007 i think, with Laursen putting in a good display in the back. I hope to return in a few years, seeing Helenius bagging a goal or two - and despite any doubts, i think there is a good chance of that coming true.

In danish media they have confirmed that he is flying in over the weekend or by latest monday, to take a look at the club, negotiate personal terms and probably do a medical. I don't know if they have speeded up the process, this was the status wednesday. They were not settled on the price (it has not been confirmed at least), latest talks are 1.2M - with clauses taking the total to possibly around 1.5M. I'll call that a bargain, despite only 1 year left of his contract Maybe your initial interest has been in Cornelius, who is more of a Benteke'-light'. Good aerial skills, nice strength and technique - also bagging a decent amount of goals. He is however playing for FCK which are by far the best team in the league, and therefore benefits from being a controlling team with loads of chances and a lot of other players to threaten the defence - having a wage budget that are probably between 2-4 times higher than closest rivals in the league. I think he has PL potential as well, maybe even more so as Helenius (a few years younger as well), but he has not really proven himself yet against more difficult opponents. Latest with a few bad displays for the national team, from my point of view. Rumors are however, that they are demanding around 9-10M £ for him, having rejected a 7M bid from Everton in the last couple of days. Which could be a really good reason to prefer Helenius over Cornelius.

Last info for tonight from my side. Some of you were wondering why the negotiations with Helenius was mentioned/confirmed by AaB and Villa - and not the ones concering Okore. This has to do with the danish stock exchange, where AaB are listed. There are currently some cases in Denmark where information about future sales (of key players) have been leaked before it was confirmed, and later reported to the stock exchange. The clubs involved have recieved fines and warnings, why AaB is probably just ensuring that it does not happen for us. Helenius is were dedicated to joining Villa, so they probably knew they were going to withdraw him from our summer start-up today and allow him to go to Villa for medical this weekend, so they could might as well relase the information. Okore is however playing for FC Nordsjaelland, owned by a "rich" man, and therefore not subject to the stock exchange rules. So simple as that, it is probably not your management that have decided to realase the information..

Samjp26: I am an AaB-fan, not FCN, so i actually don't know - have'nt noticed where he is playing. Coming to think of it, i think he played left CB in yesterdays national game when he got at the start of second half. Not his best performance, but i don't think that will be a problem for him. I just think he plays where the best attacker is in the opposition. As i said, he really have no problems on Superliga-level - besides a weaker CB playing next to him. Don't worry, he will learn in a few months, if you need him to play left CB i am confident Martin Laursen have said in danish media, that he thinks Okore and Helenius are a perfect match for Villa. I think Okore will establish himself on your team within months, no later than january - if given a few chances in the starting eleven. Helenius is probably 1-2 years, depending on when he is given a good chance - he will probably have to build a bit more on, before he i starting-material - and maybe wait for Benteke to move on, as he have been playing recently

Just a little info on Okore for you guys as well. I have not read the entire thread, so sorry for any double info. Despite Okore will only turn 21 years this summer, he has already played 7 games for the national team. I would argue he was given the first couple of games a bit too early, but no doubt the guy has talent. I expect him to pair with Daniel Agger on the national team in ½-1 year. He has a very good speed and is extremely strong. In the danish league i would say that he have no weaknesses. He is however young and sometimes makes mistakes when he is under pressure. In FCN's champions league matches, he made some mistakes when facing really good attackers. Being only 20 i think that is only natural. Chelsea made a bid for him this winter, but he declined as he want's 1st team football (despite Chelsea being his favored english club repordetly). He is definetely a guy for your starting eleven. With his aerial and physical strength he will quickly adapt to the Premier League. Give ham a month or two and allow for a a couple of mistakes and he will quickly become a valuable player. I would say that he is much better than Winston Reid (half-danish) was in the danish league, before joining West Ham some seasons ago.

I'm glad it is useful It's always exciting when your club is signing new players, i know it all to well myself. Supernova: Well, we are not a club that is used to land big fees for our players (unfortunately). We have always been know to help our young players on in their carrer, Helenius is no different. 1.5M is still consideret good money in Denmark. I will cry my eyes out if we only get 1M, whereas 2M would make me happy (still a bargain for you guys! ). If he had been playing for FCK, like Cornelius, they would probably have requested 5-6M for him. That being said, he only has 1 year left of his contract and the sale has been planned for a year. I am just glad he ends up in a club like Villa, where he has the potential to be succesful. I would have believed he was gonna end up in the lower half of the bundesliga or middle of the dutch Eresdivision, to ensure he would still play regular 1st team. But he is very intelligent about where to move and have probably thought this through - i am sure Lambert have convinced him that he will get his chance at some point. Hopefuelly you can hang on to Benteke for 1-1½ years and Helenius will be able to step up (along with Weimann?). Give him time and some chances and i am sure he will end up giving you a decent amount of goals.

Hi lads, I am a long time AaB-fan and i have followed this thread about your signing of Helenius and thought i could contribute with a bit of knowledge about him. Helenius, just turned 22 years a month ago, has made 102 appearances for AaB scoring 40 goals. He has scored 14 goals in 32 games in the league in 11/12 and 16 in 33 games this season, being runner op for the top scorer title in the league both years, having missed only one league match during these two years. He tops the goals+assist list this year with 7 assist, taking his total to 23 (runner-up last year 14+7=21) - so he is not at all a selfish player (Cornelius have made 18 goals/1 assist in comparison). He is a quiete guy, not showing many feelings on the pitch - except when scoring. Despite being tall, the aerial play is not his major attribute. It has actually been a weakness, but over the last year he has developed these skills so that he is now a decent header, good at winning aerial-duels on Superliga-level, and has also scored two goals in the end of this season. His strength and 1st touches have also been a bit weak, but he has developed these as well. He is good at identifying his weaknesses and improve on these areas, so if you are concerned about his strength don't worry - he will build on the required muscles to compete on PL-level. As you have probably seen in the youtube-videos, he is technically gifted, able to challenge an opposition player. He has a good speed and has developed decent free-kick abilities (kicks a bit like Chealsea's David Luiz, but not with the same succes rate - yet ). Being a young player, he can sometimes be a bit, how can i put it, invisible on the pitch in periods of the game. This has also improved significantly during this season, and he has really raised the bar for his bottom level. I would definetly say that his main attribute is the techniqual abilities, being able to suddely do something brilliant and scoring awesome goals or making an assist out of nowhere. If you sign him, don't expect him to be a massive succes like Benteke the first season (he does not cost Benteke-money either ). He will be a fine sub at first, and with the way he is able to develop his skills, he will slowly push on for the starting eleven. I am sure that Lambert will be able help him develop into a really good PL-striker in a couple of years, if he is given the support he needs. He always works hard, on and off the pitch. For probably no more than 1.5M £ i think you are doing bargain. Hope this helps a bit, understanding what type of player he is.