“I was a bit lazy” — Schjelderup Opens Up On Mourinho's Impact At Benfica

Schjelderup admits he was lazy before Mourinho demanded more

From being told off during and after matches to becoming one of Jose Mourinho's most trusted players, Andreas Schjelderup has opened up on the reality check that changed everything for him at Benfica.

Mourinho gave me a reality check - Schjelderup on Benfica revival...

Norwegian international winger Andreas Schjelderup says he was “lazy before Jose Mourinho arrived at Benfica” in an interview.

Schjelderup admitted that before Mourinho took over, he was not featuring regularly and felt his routine had become “boring,” which led to complacency.

When Mourinho first arrived at Benfica, he publicly criticised Schjelderup's physical conditioning, his inability to sustain 90-minute intensity, and his struggles in defensive transitions.

Jose Mourinho demanded that Andreas Schjelderup work harder defensively, even against weaker teams. When he failed to do so, he was told off, both during and after matches.

“I was a bit lazy before Mourinho arrived. I wasn’t as sharp in every single match,” admits Andreas Schjelderup.

He makes no secret of the fact that José Mourinho set new demands for him, especially defensively.

Schjelderup recalls one particular away game against a side from the bottom half of the table in Portugal.

“He really told me off both during and after the match. A bit of a reality check,” Schjelderup says.

Under Mourinho, Schjelderup started 15 of 17 league matches from January until the end of the season. He registered six goals and four assists. Following the change of manager this summer, the situation has changed for Schjelderup.

Under Marco Silva, Schjelderup has started four of 11 league matches. His average playing time has dropped from 73 to 41 minutes.

Under Marco Silva, Schjelderup has started four of 11 league matches. His average playing time has fallen from 73 to 41 minutes.

🇳🇴💫 Andreas Schjelderup (22) with an outside of the foot assist for Benfica. 😍👏 https://t.co/5vCd2pxCpO

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) November 10, 2026

“There was period before the World Cup, when I hit peak form and had Mourinho's full confidence. I played every match and stayed on for the full 90 minutes. You get comfortable, and that’s when you’re at your best when you have that much trust. I have missed that after the World Cup.”

“Perhaps I didn't bounce back the way I should have after the World Cup both in body and mind. It’s been decent but not quite the perfect state I was in before the World Cup.”

Schjelderup is expected to start when Norway face Wales in Oslo on Saturday.