Who is Antonio Nusa? The 'Norwegian Neymar' wanted by Chelsea

Updated: 8 Sept 2023 13:21 BST
4 min read

Chelsea have pivoted their transfer strategy towards signing the best young talent in world football over the past year, but they have done so whilst paying ludicrous fees for unproven stars.

It's a strategy that has not paid off yet, although their success in the market is best judged in several years time given the age of their signings.

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Another player Chelsea were keen on adding to their ever-growing list of teenage stars was Club Brugge's Antonio Nusa.

The Norwegian was the subject of a Deadline Day bid from the Blues, but he opted to stay put in Belgium rather than make the leap to Stamford Bridge.

But, who is Nusa and why are Chelsea desperate to sign him?

What position does Nusa play in?

Nusa plays primarily as a winger, mostly on the left flank. He has played on the right wing and as a central striker on occasion, though.

How good is Nusa?

Nusa is regarded as one of the best young prospects in European football and his exposure to senior football at such a young age has proven that.

After scoring three goals in 11 league appearances for Stabaek, including two on his first start for the club, Nusa earned a €3 million move to Club Brugge in 2021. He was just 16 at the time.

His pace and close control are both of the highest quality, and Nusa's dribbling is his most eye-catching attribute. The winger averaged nearly nine take-ons per 90 across the first four Belgian Pro League games of the 2023-24 season.

The Norway U21 international became the youngest player in history to score on their Champions League debut when he netted against Porto in a 4-0 group stage win in 2022 aged just 17 years and 189 days old.

Furthermore, he is the youngest goal-scorer in Club Brugge's history and the second-youngest goal-scorer in the Norwegian top-flight - behind current Arsenal star Martin Odegaard.

Back in 2021, he told Norwegian outlet Aftonposten: "I like to create chaos. Neymar is my role model because he creates chaos on the pitch with his dribbling, just like me. He is one of the best in the world.”

Nusa's former team-mate at Stabaek, Mats Solheim, backed up his claim and admitted: "I can see similarities to Neymar in Nusa's movements and in the way he uses the ball. There is still a small gap between them, but he can get there.”

He only produced one goal and one assist during the 2022-23 Belgian Pro League season, although he mustered just five starts across the campaign due to the presence of the now-departed Noa Lang.

What clubs are interested in Nusa?

Chelsea are the primary club interested in signing Nusa and the Blues saw a €27 million offer turned down on Deadline Day.

According to The Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella, Nusa is being watched by at least 20 other top clubs, meaning Chelsea face plenty of competition for his signature.

The teenager follows both Arsenal and Manchester United on Instagram, which some fans have suggested could see him reject interest from Chelsea in favour of one of their Premier League rivals.

In September 2022, it was reported that Barcelona and AC Milan had taken interest in Nusa, but a deal never materialised.