Antonio Nusa: zoom zoom

The definitive SCOUTED50 profile on a great Norwegian prospect.

SCOUTED50 is our collection of the fifty young talents we believe are best positioned to break into the mainstream during 2023/24. Throughout the season, we’ll be detailing all fifty in definitive profiles.

The full list can be read here. This profile drills down on Antonio Nusa.

This profile was produced as part of a commercial collaboration with SkillCorner, SCOUTED’s official data partner. SkillCorner’s tracking and performance data is used by more than 150 of the world’s biggest clubs, leagues and confederations. Learn more.

All stats correct as of 12/03/2024 unless otherwise noted.

Norway have not reached a major tournament since Euro 2000. Now, they possess the footballing talents of Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland — surely success must follow?

All they need now is a third (and possibly fourth) amigo to create an attack that would be the envy of even the strongest national teams on the planet.

Luckily, there are a couple prospects auditioning for those roles. The first is Oscar Bobb, Manchester City’s uber-talented midfielder/winger quietly bubbling away under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola. He has just signed a deal to keep him at Manchester City until 2029, so Pep must like him. Earning the trust of Pep is always step one for any Manchester City player, and it doesn’t come easy: just ask Kalvin Phillips.

The other is Antonio Nusa. Nusa’s pathway reminds me of Alexander Isak’s a bit, but instead of stepping up to a major club like Borussia Dortmund when leaving Scandinavia at 16, Nusa found himself a much better stepping stone move after leaving Stabæk. His pathway has taken him through Belgium’s Club Brugge, a notoriously successful talent development club in its own right.

After almost three seasons with Club Brugge, Nusa has put together a very strong resume for a player still yet to turn 19.

Nusa has made over 67 appearances for the Belgian club, played over 2,500 minutes - which gradually ramped up over time - and has played four times for his country. It’s the perfect launching pad to propel his career towards the next 18 months.

It almost led to a Premier League move in January, with Brentford aggressively chasing Nusa’s signature until the move collapsed for reasons that are still unknown.

But perhaps that was not the worst outcome for the Norwegian. He is still 18 and is just starting to cement himself in Club Brugge’s starting XI. There’s no need to rush into a Premier League move while he is still acclimatising to 90 minutes every week in Belgium.

Timing is so important when it comes to player development. Landing in the right place at the right time is critical.

Who knows where a move to Brentford may have taken him? Out on loan to an unfavourable destination club? Sparse minutes off the bench?

Remaining at Brugge for now at least brings guarantees. Among them is the host of European clubs who will still line up to sign him in the coming year.

---

In this profile:

• The importance of efficiency for youngsters

• Nusa’s ability to be adaptable and versatile in role

• The intricacies of his skillset as a dribbler

• How does his athleticism translate to the elite?

• Managing the leap to the next levels in his development