On Monday, TV4's Football Channel reported that Anthony Elanga had skipped the national team's closing dinner during the latest gathering, and instead headed directly back to England.
Later, national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson confirmed the reports, but he did not want to say why.
I don't think I'm the right person to ask about that. It's better to ask him, says Tomasson.
What happens within the team, stays within the team.
Not Heard From
During the autumn's Nations League group stage, Elanga has only played for about an hour in four matches. However, he did participate in the September gathering. In October, he didn't play a single minute, the 22-year-old who normally plays for Premier League team Nottingham.
When Tomasson presented the squad for the upcoming gathering, Elanga was missing, and after the announcement, the parties have not been in contact.
He hasn't called me. Not yet. I tried calling him but without success. But I'm sure we'll get in touch before the next match. There's plenty of time left until then, says Tomasson.
When asked if it's not strange that Elanga doesn't answer or get in touch, Dahl Tomasson responds.
It's a bit strange, but we can't do anything about it.
Elanga's way of handling his disappointment does not disqualify him from future national team assignments in Jon Dahl Tomasson's eyes.
All players are eligible next time.
"Can Be Tough"
Hugo Larsson and Anthony Elanga are two players who have reacted strongly to not getting the playing time they think they deserve. Tomasson sees no difficulties in handling young players with a strong belief in themselves.
Football is about making choices, and it's my job to make them. Someone gets disappointed, someone else gets happy. That's football, and it can be tough, says the national team captain.
Sweden will face Slovakia (Saturday) and Azerbaijan (Tuesday) when the Nations League group stage concludes.
