Sweden National Football Team

July 3, 2008

Even though the euros were hardly a success, many of our players have managed to impress clubs all over Europe.

The British media likes to portray the Swedish national team as full of footballers that aren’t quite good enought for the Premier League. Fortunately for Sweden supporters this is not the case. Many premier league teams have shown interest in Sweden internationals. From Chelsea and Ibrahimovic, Manchester United and Henrik Larsson a couple of years ago to Fulham and Fredrik Stoor today. Not to mention Johan Elmander’s move from French side Toulouse to Bolton for a record-breaking 15 million pounds. Sebastian Larsson was also Birmingham city’s best player of the previous season and has been linked with Wigan and Newcastle. The only player in the Sweden squad that didn’t make it in the Premier League is Christian Wilhelmsson. The only reason he didn’t make it is probably because he didn’t get the chance. After his move from Bolton to Deportivo in January, Deportivo climbed from relegation to 7th place in La Liga. He was also La Liga player of the month in March after an impressive performance against Barcelona.

So far this summer, the premier league might have gained Swedish quality through Elmander, but they have also lost a lot due to Olof Mellberg’s move from Aston Villa to Juventus.
The viking played solidly at full back even though he was primarily used as right back the past season at Villa, and he performed world class against Spain. Juventus must (so far) be happy with the free transfer.

Christian Wilhelmsson is hoping to make his loan from Nantes to Deportivo permanent, but Deportivo is not willing to pay Nantes the 20 million euros they are asking for. Wilhelmsson has threatened to sit out his contract at Nantes (1 year remaining) and then leave as a free transfer if the French side doesn’t lower the price.
Wilhelmsson is the only Sweden squad member that played in La Liga the previous season, but this might soon change as Sevilla and Valencia are showing interest in Lyon midfielder Kim Källström. AC Milan have reportedly also shown interest in the left footed playmaker.

Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson has this week completed a move from Manchester City to PSV Eindhoven despite reports that Galatasaray had already reached an agreement with City about the 26-year-old.

Full-back Majstorovic has also changed adress from FC Basel to Panathinaikos.

/Joren Bailliere

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