Tomasson: No Risks with Isak in World Cup Qualifier

Liverpool sets no restrictions on how much Alexander Isak can play in the World Championship qualifying premiere on Friday. It will probably not be 90 minutes for the attacking star against Slovenia. Will we take a chance with "Alex"? Of course not, says Sweden's national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson.

» Published:

Tomasson: No Risks with Isak in World Cup Qualifier
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Share this article

With two days left until the World Championship qualifying premiere away against Slovenia, the national football team's head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson has the entire squad available for training.

Defender Gabriel Gudmundsson was forced to break his latest league match with Leeds, but no longer has any problems.

He says he's "flying", so hopefully he does, says Tomasson.

"Have a plan"

That the one everyone is talking about right now will be able to play a whole match is, however, too much to hope for, says Tomasson. It's not Alexander Isak, who on Monday left Newcastle for Liverpool in a billion deal, ready for.

Usually you play many matches and train a lot during a preseason. But it hasn't been that way now. Of course, he won't play 90 minutes. Will we take a chance with Alex? No, of course not. But we have a plan, says Jon Dahl Tomasson.

He has been in contact with Liverpool's manager Arne Slot. But the Premier League club is not said to have delivered any guidelines regarding Isak's participation in the World Championship qualifying match, which continues against Kosovo on Monday.

No, no guidelines. I've talked to their coach and our doctor has talked to their doctor. But it's a normal communication that we have with the clubs, says Tomasson.

For every collective training session Isak goes through, he increases his chances of getting more match minutes.

Doesn't matter where someone plays

Jon Dahl Tomasson comments for the first time on Isak's record transfer.

I'm glad the guy is happy and that he's here now. For me, it doesn't matter where someone plays, the most important thing is that you play and that you thrive. And he does.

According to British media, the transfer landed at nearly 1.7 billion Swedish kronor.

It's a lot of money. Sometimes you feel "wow, that's too much". But that's the way it is, you have all the TV rights and there are foreign owners and then the market value is what it is, says Tomasson.

On Wednesday's training session, the intensity was increased. And with "JDT", a starting eleven against Slovenia (20.45 in Ljubljana) takes shape.

Will he start Isak alongside Viktor Gyökeres? Or will Isak get the role as a substitute? And who will play alongside Gyökeres then? Benjamin Nygren? Anthony Elanga?

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Frölunda Dominates Djurgården 11-2 for Fourth Consecutive Win

Frölunda Dominates Djurgården 11-2 for Fourth Consecutive Win

Mads Hansen Leads Västervik to Swedish Speedway Championship Gold

Mads Hansen Leads Västervik to Swedish Speedway Championship Gold

Alexander Isak Scores First Goal for Liverpool in League Cup Win

Alexander Isak Scores First Goal for Liverpool in League Cup Win

Stars Donate Ryder Cup Earnings to Charity

Stars Donate Ryder Cup Earnings to Charity

Pernilla Lindberg Retires from Golf as She Announces Pregnancy

Pernilla Lindberg Retires from Golf as She Announces Pregnancy

Tomasson Reflects on Sweden's Loss to Kosovo in World Cup Qualifiers

Tomasson Reflects on Sweden's Loss to Kosovo in World Cup Qualifiers

Former Leksand Coach Sjur Robert Nilsen Leads Norway's Ice Hockey Team

Former Leksand Coach Sjur Robert Nilsen Leads Norway's Ice Hockey Team

Nadal Alerts Fans to AI-Generated Fake Videos Offering Advice

Nadal Alerts Fans to AI-Generated Fake Videos Offering Advice

Ludvig Åberg Reflects on Overwhelming Ryder Cup Debut Experience

Ludvig Åberg Reflects on Overwhelming Ryder Cup Debut Experience

Junior World Championship Relocates to Lillehammer Amid Economic Concerns

Junior World Championship Relocates to Lillehammer Amid Economic Concerns

Sweden's Handball Squad for European Qualifiers Announced

Sweden's Handball Squad for European Qualifiers Announced

Preem Ends Sponsorship with Vasaloppet Amid Criticism

Preem Ends Sponsorship with Vasaloppet Amid Criticism

1.5 Million Tune In to Watch Duplantis Win World Championship Gold

1.5 Million Tune In to Watch Duplantis Win World Championship Gold

Ryder Cup Preview: Trump Expected to Attend Golf Event

Ryder Cup Preview: Trump Expected to Attend Golf Event

Aitana Bonmatí and Ousmane Dembélé Win Ballon d'Or Awards

Aitana Bonmatí and Ousmane Dembélé Win Ballon d'Or Awards

Viktor Gyökeres Honored as Europe's Top Scorer at Paris Gala

Viktor Gyökeres Honored as Europe's Top Scorer at Paris Gala

Fans Unite in Powerful Protest Against Police at Norrköping Match

Fans Unite in Powerful Protest Against Police at Norrköping Match

Hammarby Falls to Djurgården in Dramatic Stockholm Derby Finish

Hammarby Falls to Djurgården in Dramatic Stockholm Derby Finish

World Champion Daniel Ståhl Returns Home After Tokyo Victory

World Champion Daniel Ståhl Returns Home After Tokyo Victory

Jakob Söderqvist Wins Gold at U23 Cycling World Championship

Jakob Söderqvist Wins Gold at U23 Cycling World Championship