Mads Roerslev Explained

Mads Roerslev
Full Name:Mads Roerslev Rasmussen
Birth Date:24 June 1999
Birth Place:Copenhagen, Denmark
Height:1.84 m
Position:Right-back, right wing-back
Currentclub:Brentford
Clubnumber:30
Youthyears1:–2017
Youthclubs1:Copenhagen
Years1:2017–2019
Clubs1:Copenhagen
Caps1:5
Goals1:0
Years2:2017
Clubs2:Halmstads BK (loan)
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2019
Clubs3:Vendsyssel (loan)
Caps3:4
Goals3:0
Years4:2019–
Clubs4:Brentford
Caps4:103
Goals4:2
Nationalyears1:2015–2016
Nationalteam1:Denmark U17
Nationalcaps1:16
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2016–2017
Nationalteam2:Denmark U18
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2017–2018
Nationalteam3:Denmark U19
Nationalcaps3:10
Nationalgoals3:1
Nationalyears4:2018–2019
Nationalteam4:Denmark U20
Nationalcaps4:4
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2019–2021
Nationalteam5:Denmark U21
Nationalcaps5:6
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:17:00, 18 August 2024 (UTC)

Mads Roerslev Rasmussen (born 24 June 1999) is a Danish professional footballer who plays as a right-back or right wing-back for club Brentford.

Roerslev is a product of the FC Copenhagen academy. A fringe player after signing a professional contract, he transferred to English club Brentford in 2019 and was a part of the squad which was promoted to the Premier League in 2021. Roerslev was capped by Denmark at youth level.

Club career

FC Copenhagen

A right-back, Roerslev progressed through the academy at F.C. Copenhagen and made his senior debut as a second-half substitute for Frederik Bay in a Danish Cup third round match versus Jammerbugt FC on 26 October 2016.[1] He capped a dream debut with a goal in the 6–1 victory.[2] Roerslev made four further appearances during the 2016–17 season and signed a new four-year contract in May 2017.[3] He worked to improve his one-on-one defending with experienced right-back Tom Høgli.[4]

Down the pecking order at the Parken Stadium,[5] Roerslev appeared sparingly during the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons. He spent time away on loan at Halmstads BK and Vendsyssel FF,[6] [7] [8] but made few appearances for either club. Roerslev departed FC Copenhagen in August 2019, after making 13 appearances and scoring one goal during three seasons as a senior player at the club.

Brentford

2019–2021

On 7 August 2019, Roerslev moved to England to join the B team at Championship club Brentford on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year, for an undisclosed nominal fee.[9] Roerslev broke into the first team squad in October 2019 and by March 2020, after 10 appearances, his performances led to him signing a new four-year contract and promotion into the first team squad.[10] Roerslev ended the 2019–20 season with 14 appearances.

A metatarsal injury suffered on international duty saw Roerslev miss the first four months of the 2020–21 season.[11] He returned to match play in early January 2021 and after a number of substitute cameos, an injury to his mentor, Henrik Dalsgaard, allowed him to break into the starting lineup in early April. He held onto his place until the end of the regular season and through the playoffs, which culminated in promotion to the Premier League after victory in the 2021 Championship play-off final, during which he assisted Emiliano Marcondes for one of the goals. Roerslev finished a breakthrough 2020–21 season with 22 appearances.

2021–2023

Following the release of first-choice right back Henrik Dalsgaard,[12] a change in formation to 3-5-2 saw Roerslev begin the 2021–22 season behind stand-in right wing back Sergi Canós in the pecking order. The pair traded the position during the season.[13] Approaching the midway point of the season, mounting injuries in the central defensive positions saw Roerslev deployed in a right centre back role.[14] [15] [16] He finished the 2021–22 season with 26 appearances and one goal, scored with the winner in a 2–1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on 2 January 2022.

After beginning the 2022–23 season behind new signing Aaron Hickey and right-sided defender Kristoffer Ajer in the right back pecking order,[17] injuries to both players led to Roerslev assuming the starting right back role in mid-October 2022. He signed a new three-year contract in February 2023 and finished the season with 23 appearances.[18]

2023–present

The early months of 2023–24 mirrored that of the previous season, with injury to Aaron Hickey in late-October 2023 allowing Roerslev to take over the starting right back role.[19] He ended the campaign with a season-high 38 appearances and one goal, scored in a 2–2 draw with Chelsea on 2 March 2024.

International career

Roerslev was capped Denmark at every level between U17 and U21. He was a member of the Denmark squads at the 2016, 2018 and 2021 UEFA European U17, U19 and U21 Championships respectively.[20] In May 2022, Roerslev was called into the senior team's training camp prior to its 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A matches.[21] Following the withdrawal of Alexander Bah, Roerslev won his maiden call into the Denmark squad for a pair of friendly matches in March 2024 and remained an unused substitute in both.[22]

Style of play

A right-back, Roerslev "is very good offensively – he is a good crosser of the ball, very good one-on-one, quick and energetic to get up and down the pitch. He is also good defending one-on-one".

Personal life

Roerslev was a Manchester United supporter while growing up.[23]

Career statistics

Club!rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Copenhagen2016–17Danish Superliga30210051
2017–18Danish Superliga20100030
2018–19Danish Superliga00104050
Total504140131
Halmstads BK (loan)2017Allsvenskan1010
Vendsyssel FF (loan)2018–19Danish Superliga40101060
Brentford2019–20Championship110200010140
2020–21Championship170200030220
2021–22Premier League2012030261
2022–23Premier League2001020230
2023–24Premier League3412020381
2024–25Premier League10000010
Total103210070401242
Career total11521417040401443

Honours

Brentford

2021[24]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mads Roerslev Rasmussen signs for Brentford B . 7 August 2019 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  2. Web site: To debutanter – tre mål . 26 October 2016 . F.C. København . 26 October 2016 . da.
  3. Web site: F.C. København forlænger med Mads Roerslev . 11 May 2017 . F.C. København . da.
  4. Web site: Roerslev discusses his best defensive displays . 27 April 2023 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  5. Web site: Mads Roerslev solgt til Brentford FC . 7 August 2019 . F.C. København . da.
  6. Web site: FCK bekræfter: Sender Keita til Halmstad . 7 August 2019 . bold.dk. 21 March 2017 .
  7. Web site: Ung FCK'er forlader Halmstad efter fodfejl . 7 August 2019 . bold.dk. 11 May 2017 .
  8. Web site: Mads Roerslev udlejet til Vendsyssel FF . 28 December 2018 . F.C. København . da.
  9. Web site: Harris . Jay . Brentford's 25 B team players: Where are they now? . subscription . 25 January 2023 . The Athletic . en.
  10. Web site: Mads Roerslev signs new contract . 8 March 2020 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  11. Web site: Marshall . Sam . The Long Read: Mads Roerslev . 4 April 2022 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  12. Web site: Farewell to Henrik Dalsgaard . 4 April 2022 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  13. Web site: Bennett . Dan . 21 June 2022 . Four areas Brentford need to strengthen this summer . 26 June 2022 . West London Sport . en-GB.
  14. Web site: "We will try to be as aggressive and front-footed as normal" . 21 November 2021 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  15. News: Howe influenced Newcastle from hotel room . en-GB . BBC Sport . 21 November 2021.
  16. Web site: Majid . Uzzi . 12 December 2021 . Roerslev praises Brentford belief after mounting late comeback win vs Watford . 12 December 2021 . Football.London . en.
  17. Web site: Bennett . Dan . 28 December 2022 . Brentford set to recall Stevens from Swansea loan . 31 December 2022 . West London Sport . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Roerslev signs new contract . 15 February 2023 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  19. Web site: Hickey suffers injury setback . 2 March 2024 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  20. Web site: Mads Bech Sørensen and Mads Roerslev in Denmark's Under-21 Euros squad . 15 March 2021 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  21. Web site: Mads Bech receives first senior call-up for Denmark . 24 May 2022 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  22. Web site: 19 March 2024 . Endelig! Mads Roerslev er indkaldt til landsholdet . 19 March 2024 . Tipsbladet.dk.
  23. Web site: Mads Roerslev . 27 April 2023 . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb.
  24. News: Vincent . Gareth . 29 May 2021 . Brentford 2–0 Swansea City . BBC Sport . 29 May 2021.