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The national team build-up takes shape – with many new names

The national team under Jon Dahl Tomasson is a construction site or as he repeatedly says in English with a Danish accent: We are under construction. Hardly anyone who has followed his squad and team selections has missed the large flow of players in and out.

» Published: 08 October 2024

The national team build-up takes shape – with many new names
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

What will eventually become of it all remains to be seen, but no one can accuse the former star of not thoroughly inventorying the stock of Swedish football players with national team potential.

Even less for not giving them a chance in sharp situations.

The national team under "JDT" has played six national team matches, four initial matches of the character of training matches, two in the Nations League in September.

In the six matches, the national team captain has given a number of young talents their debuts at the same time as he has brought forward older players who have waited a long time or given up the thought of national team play.

In the first category are Hugo Larsson, Lucas Bergvall, Sebastian Nanasi, Alex Douglas, and Yasin Ayari. In the second, Viktor Johansson, Gustaf Nilsson, Simon Olsson, Anton Salétros, and Niclas Eliasson.

Perform and you're relevant

The message is clear. Whoever performs in their club team and is deemed to have the required quality is always in Tomasson's and assistant Remy Reijniers' sights.

We are currently following 51 players. For every time I see a player, I get a better understanding of what they can perform. It gives a special dynamic to the group when new players come in. It increases competition in the dressing room, and it is necessary for us to take the steps we want to take, says Tomasson.

He also appreciates the cooperation with U21 national team coach Daniel Bäckström.

There is a connection, a path between the U21 and A national teams that gives players plenty of motivation and opportunities since we work closely together.

Hugo Bolin is the latest in a row of players without previous experience of the A national team who gets to show what he's made of. Instead of qualifying for the European Championship with U21, he was called up to the Nations League gathering.

A proof that Jon believes in me, he says.

"Says something"

On the question of whether it is more open to the national team under "JDT", Bolin answers:

Yes, maybe. I don't have exact control. I have half a year's experience of Allsvenskan and European matches and already get the chance here. It says something.

Is it something you talk about in U21 that the way into the A national team has become shorter?

Of course. If you perform there, you have a shorter way to the A national team. It's not something we talk about all the time, but it has been mentioned, it has.

+ Viktor Johansson, 26, goalkeeper, 3 national team matches

Replaced injured Robin Olsen against Azerbaijan and Estonia.

+ Gustaf Nilsson, 27, forward, 7 national team matches

Came on and scored against Portugal in March, started and scored against Albania. Came on against Denmark, started against Serbia, came on against Estonia. Injured and not in the squad now.

+ Simon Olsson, 27, midfielder, 3 national team matches

Came on against Portugal, started against Albania and Denmark.

+ Anton Salétros, 28, midfielder, 7 national team matches

Came on against Albania, started against Denmark and Serbia, came on against Azerbaijan, started against Estonia.

+ Niclas Eliasson, 28, midfielder, 3 national team matches

Started against Denmark, Serbia, and Estonia

+ Hugo Larsson, 20, midfielder, 6 national team matches

Came on against Denmark and Serbia.

+ Alex Douglas, 23, defender, 2 national team matches

Started directly against Azerbaijan and Estonia.

+ Yasin Ayari, 21, midfielder, 4 national team matches

Started against Azerbaijan and Estonia

+ Lucas Bergvall, 18, midfielder, 3 national team matches.

Came on against Azerbaijan and Estonia

+ Sebastian Nanasi, 22, midfielder, 4 national team matches

Came on against Estonia

+ Williot Swedberg, 20, midfielder, 1 national team match

Came on against Serbia

In the squad without playing time:

Matteo Perez Vinlöf, 18, defender, 0 national team matches, Samuel Dahl, 21, defender, 1 national team match, Daniel Svensson, 22, defender, 0 national team matches, Jacob Ondrejka, midfielder, 1 national team match, Jacob Widell Zetterström, 24, goalkeeper, 1 national team match, Hugo Bolin, 21, midfielder, 0 national team matches.

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By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

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