Nine rejections – but the Serie A defender chose Sweden

Sweden’s damage-free defense of international standards is not currently growing on trees. Or as Jan Andersson himself said when asked why captain Victor Nelson Lindelof was included in the latest Nations League squad even though he barely had time to return to Manchester United after injury:

– If you look at the center back, I’m not against anyone who can walk, says Anderson, only half-jokingly.

Injury-free Nelson Lindelof is, after all, in the Sweden squad, and according to Jan Andersson, the 28-year-old has been training well lately and should be ready.

Nine new offers

The midfield crisis is still far from over. Among the nine “non-selectable players” Anderson was forced to dispense with in the Nations League matches against Serbia and Slovenia are many talented defenders: Joachim Nilsson, Karl Starvelt, Philip Hellander and Hjalmar Ekdal.

Therefore, it was a particularly good time to call a 23-year-old in northern Italy.

Isak Hien made strides last year and this summer left Djurgården for Hellas Verona in the Italian Serie A. However, he was not an obvious player in the Swedish national team, as he also had the opportunity to choose to represent both Burkina Faso and Ghana.

– When he asked this question, I called him and spoke with him a few weeks ago. Then he said he would like to play for Sweden, says Jan Andersson.

“He is brave”

From the first moment, Hien impressed the captain of the national team.

– He knows no fear. There is a lot that I like. I saw him live in a match against Halmstad (in the Sweden Cup in March), and then I wondered who he was. I didn’t track him. Anderson says it’s only grown and grown since then.

– Now that he’s moved outside, he’s also stepped in and taken care of himself. His physical fitness, attitude to the game and tactical ability will be an important part. It’s a great trip.

Five other players were not available for this group due to injury: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Emil Krafth, Karim Merabti, Albin Ekdal and Jesper Carlson.

Many beginners

The big guy opens up to three potential starters; The duo of Lech Poznan, Mikael Isak, the striker, and Filip Dagerstoll, the central defence, as well as Feyenoord’s 20-year-old midfielder Patrick Lemark, are hoping to make their competitive debut for the national team. So does Ayham Osu of Slavia Prague, 22, who was called up late to the last squad after several rejections, but without getting time to play.

– Isaac has already participated once but rejected the January tour due to injury. He’s a classic target thief, he’s smart and he’s always been on our radar. Physically good goal thief, real match winner.

– Dagerstål had to play a well-balanced player when I had him as a young man in Norrköping. Now he’s grown as a center back, and he’s wise and thoughtful. Wålemark had an exciting trip in Häcken before coming to the Netherlands. Then he took the shirt of Feyenoord, a good football team. He can break into with his left foot and he can play forward and score goals.

Sweden meets Serbia for the first time abroad in Belgrade on September 24 and then Slovenia at their home at Friends Arena on September 27.