Sheikh Scouts: Orri Óskarsson - The Future Star?

After a lengthy hiatus, we are thrilled to welcome you back to #SheikhScouts, our in-depth analysis series of emerging football talents across the globe with en emphasis on City-linked targets. It’s been over a year since our last report, and we’re thrilled to kick off with a special focus on one of the most exciting young strikers in European football: Orri Steinn Óskarsson.

Currently catching the eye of several top clubs, including Manchester City, Óskarsson is a player who has shown considerable potential. According to reliable transfer source David Ornstein, City are “unlikely to pursue” him this transfer window but remain “firm admirers” of his talent. It’s worth noting that Óskarsson is one of my personal favourites, and I’m excited to dive into his game to explore why he’s being considered by the reigning Premier League champions.

Player Profile:

• Name: Orri Óskarsson
• Age: 19 years old
• Position: Striker
• Club: FC Copenhagen
• Nationality: Iceland

Technical and Physical Qualities:

Orri Óskarsson is a physically imposing striker standing at 6’1” (185 cm) and weighing around 76 kg. His physicality allows him to hold up play effectively, making him an ideal target man, but similarly to Erling Haaland,  he also has a surprising burst of pace for a player of his size. This combination makes him versatile enough to play in various attacking roles.

Technically, Óskarsson is a well-rounded forward. His first touch is deceptively soft and he has an eye for goal from various ranges, consistently scoring with both feet. His aerial ability is another significant asset; he has excellent leaping abilitiy and has proven to be effective in heading situations, often outmuscling defenders to meet crosses, which may help to maximize the output of city winger Jeremy Doku (and our other playmakers), especially those who get to the byline and put the ball in the box.

For a teenager, he appears to possess a never-say-die attitude. A relentless runner with killer instinct, fantastic movement, and superb finishing. 

Match Performance Data:

Since the start of the 23/24 season for FC Copenhagen, Óskarsson has made 52 appearances (2959 minutes played), scoring 22 goals and providing 9 assists. This gives him an impressive goal involvement rate of 1 every 95 minutes. Additionally, Óskarsson averages 2.9 shots per game, indicating a high level of activity in attacking positions. His expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes this season stands at 0.77, showing that his goal return is sustainable and not merely a result of overperformance.

Moreover, his pressing stats are noteworthy— in his opening 6 matches this season, he wins on average 2.5 duels per game, showing his willingness to work off the ball, a trait highly valued by Pep Guardiola and essentially for our system to work effectively and efficiently. It all starts from the front. 

Tactical Fit at Manchester City:

If Orri Óskarsson were to join Manchester City, he would initially serve as a squad player, likely deputising for the best striker in the world in Erling Haaland. This may be advantageous for the new signing as Óskarsson would have time to adapt to the Premier League’s pace and physicality without the immediate pressure of leading the line.

Tactically, Óskarsson looks to be an adept fit for Guardiola’s system, which often demands a high level of technical ability and tactical intelligence from its forwards. His ability to hold up play and bring others into the game would complement the creative midfielders at City. Moreover, his proficiency in the air could provide City with an additional dimension, particularly in matches where breaking down deep-lying defenses is required.

While he may start as a backup to Haaland, Óskarsson has the potential to evolve into a more prominent figure within the squad. His high work rate, physical attributes, and finishing ability suggest he could eventually grow into a role where he either plays alongside Haaland in a two-striker system or even takes over as the main striker if Haaland ever chooses to leave the club. And at the age of 19, his age profile fits well within our emerging younger stars. 

Concerns:

It’s important to not that Óskarsson shouldn’t be judged with the same expectations as a Haaland or even an Alvarez coming in. It isn’t easy to find a quality player willing to come in as a back-up, especially one knowing that a player of Haaland’s stature will be playing ahead of him. That will likely be the biggest concern - can he and will he be willing to wait? Or will he push for a move for more regular gametime like his predecessor? Another concern is the jump in competition and the adaptation period. We’ve seen established internationals come and struggle to acclimate at City. Does the Icelandic international have the mental makeup to fight for his place and push for excellence alongside some of the best players in the world? Time will tell. 

Conclusion:

Orri Óskarsson is undoubtedly a player with significant potential. His performances in Denmark suggest he might be ready to handle the step up to a top European league, and with Manchester City’s coaching staff and playing philosophy, he would have the tools and the infrastructure around him to develop into a top-tier striker. While he would likely start as a squad player, his talent and adaptability suggest that he could eventually become a key figure for Manchester City, providing them with a different option in attack.

As we continue to track his progress, Óskarsson remains one to watch closely—an exciting young prospect who could very well be the future of Manchester City’s attack.

Written by: Manny/Armaan

Edited by: SHEIKH