Nyland's Sevilla career hanging by a thread as Bundesliga 2 strugglers circle
Norwegian keeper Orjan Nyland faces uncertain future at Sevilla with contract expiring in June and no playing time since December's Copa del Rey exit.
Relegated to the bench and running down his contract, Orjan Nyland’s Sevilla situation has gone from bad to worse with German second-division clubs now sniffing around for a January move.
From starter to spectator
It’s been a right dog’s dinner of a season for the 35-year-old Norwegian international. After starting Sevilla’s first four La Liga matches against Athletic Club, Getafe, Girona and Elche, Nyland has been warming the bench since Greek international Odysseas Vlachodimos muscled his way into the starting XI.
With Sevilla’s early Copa del Rey exit in December leaving them competing only in La Liga, Nyland’s prospects for minutes look bleaker than a British beach in January. His last appearance came on December 4th against Extremadura in the cup competition, and barring an injury to Vlachodimos, he might as well bring his slippers to the dugout.
Contract complications
The situation gets trickier with Nyland’s contract expiring this summer. Despite his bench-warming role, sources suggest the keeper remains committed to seeing out his contract at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, even knowing full well his chances of action are slim to none.
World Cup worries
While his place in Norway’s squad for the upcoming World Cup in North America isn’t immediately threatened, there’s growing debate back home about whether Nyland needs regular football before the tournament. Having your number one keeper collecting cobwebs for six months isn’t exactly ideal preparation for international football’s biggest stage.
German interest
According to Sky Sport Germany, bottom-dwelling Bundesliga 2 side Greuther Furth are interested in Nyland’s services. The struggling German outfit are desperate for reinforcements having:
- Accumulated just 16 points from 19 matches
- Conceded a whopping 46 goals
- Found themselves firmly rooted to the bottom of the table
Summer shuffle incoming
Sevilla’s goalkeeping department looks set for a major overhaul this summer. Not only is Nyland’s contract winding down, but Vlachodimos’s future isn’t secure either. The Greek stopper is only on loan from Newcastle United, and while he’s become a crucial player under manager Almeyda, Sevilla would need to negotiate a permanent deal if they want to keep him.
The clock’s ticking on Nyland’s Seville stay, and he might need to use his loaf and consider that German escape route if he wants to be in top nick for the World Cup.