Joachim Andersen

Written by Sofie Engberg Munch for TV 2 Denmark:

A well-respected centre-back who is a leader on and off the pitch. After a disappointing spell at Lyon Joachim Andersen found his feet in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, dominating world class forwards with his calmness and great vision for the past four years. Having played in midfield in his youth, he is able to pick out a teammate with a pinpoint long-range pass. It is possible that stealing a bag of fizzy drinks from the kitchen at the FC Midtjylland academy was the making of Andersen. He was found out and sent home for an “extended” Christmas break and had to do a résumé of the then headmaster’s book on the making of talents. His father was furious and told him: “You are bloody well going to do this 100% or stop now. If you don’t get a contract, you’ve wasted your youth. You can stop, come home, work at McDonald’s and go out and drink beer and meet girls.” It is fair to say that the dressing down worked – Andersen hasn’t looked back since.