Man City have a top player in the making - and he's doing three things to raise excitement levels

Sverre Nypan has impressed at Middlesbrough having joined the Championship club on loan from Manchester City this summer

Sverre Nypan was one of the most talked-about talents in Europe this summer.

The Norwegian prospect had been linked with most of the top clubs across the continent having starred for Rosenborg in his homeland.

Excitement levels have surrounded the 18-year-old since he made his senior debut aged just 14 and it was Manchester City who swooped to win the race for his signature.

The plan was always for him to depart on loan and City wanted a British destination to help the midfielder adapt to football on these shores.

A move to Middlesbrough was agreed and Nypan has since featured seven times for Rob Edwards' side in what has been a strong start to the season for Boro.

We spoke to Teesside Live's Middlesbrough reporter Craig Johns for the lowdown on Nypan and what City can expect in the future with the teenager already displaying a strong work ethic, elite mentality and a desire not to shirk situations.

How has he settled into life at Boro?

"Reasonably well so far, albeit in an attack that isn’t quite functioning as well as they’d hope at the moment. Nypan was one of four new attacking players who arrived at the club this summer and, as a result, they’re all still lacking that connection at the moment, while all also getting up to speed with the English game because they’ve all come from leagues abroad (Nypan obviously via a quick whistle-stop in Manchester).

"In many ways, Rob Edwards is still learning each of his new attacking players too, and how Boro can set up and play in a manner that will get the best out of them. To Nypan’s credit though, he’s not shirked anything yet, and looks to get involved in games as much as he possibly can, whether that’s starting or coming on from the bench.

"Edwards is a coach who likes to change a lot in game too, so, for such a young player, he’s reacted well when perhaps starting as a 10 and then being switched to a more standard central midfield role or vice-versa.

"He’s still trying to get up to speed, as our Boro from an attacking sense in general. As such, he’s yet to really stand tall and have a major influence on a game as yet. Nevertheless, there have been flashes of his potential and technical ability to offer enough encouragement that it will come."

Does he look a player with a high ceiling?

"What’s been so clear so far is that he’s a very good player, and one who has a very good mentality too. Playing in England for the first time at just 18, Nypan has never once looked daunted. He works as hard for the team out of possession as he does on the ball.

"For many of the reasons noted above, he hasn’t yet been able to make a huge impact and really take control and influence games, or provide any big moments. It’s in doing one or the other that will ultimately usually determine if a midfielder/attacking midfielder can make it at the very highest level.

"He’s young, and you’d hope that will come as he adapts to his surroundings and his coaches and team-mates pinpoint how to get the best out of him, also. It was always felt there might need to be a little patience. But what he's already shown is that he has the ability, and he also has the mindset."

What has the manager had to say about him so far?

"While calling for patience, Edwards has been really positive about Nypan and his potential to have a major impact for Boro this season. In terms of his quality, he’ll regularly point to the fact that Manchester City don’t sign bad players.

"He’s also been keen to highlight the fact he is doing that out-of-possession work, noting one moment in a recent win over Sheffield United where Nypan celebrated blocking a shot on the edge of Boro’s box as though he’d scored a goal. Edwards said he ‘loved’ that.

"From a City point of view, probably the most encouraging quote from Edwards on Nypan so far was saying: “He’s already a really good player, and I think he’ll become a top one."

How would you assess his character and personality?

"He seems to have settled at Boro in that regard really well. He always appears to be involved in the group during behind-scenes content from the club. We had an opportunity to sit down and chat with him shortly after his move to Boro and it immediately struck you how mature he is for 18.

"The way he discussed his career to date, and the decisions he made to turn big clubs downs earlier to stay and play more football, before eventually making the City move this summer. He seems such a determined and driven character."