Facts: Isak Hien
Born: January 1999 in Stockholm
Club address: Hellas Verona
International matches: 6
Previous clubs: Vasalund, Djurgården
Current: Looks to start in Sweden’s European Championship qualifier against Estonia.
Who will play next to Victor Nilsson Lindelöf in the Swedish national team?
The center back issue has been a recurring topic in recent years. With Hjalmar Ekdal on the injury list, the answer looks to be Isak Hien. At least in tonight’s clash in Tallinn against Estonia.
Hien himself thinks there is more to be gained from him.
— I may not have been very good in the national team. I’ve had good matches and less good matches. It feels like I have another level in me that I haven’t really achieved in the national team. Hopefully I can reach it in these upcoming matches, he says.
TT: What is it due to?
— Many different factors. It is a big deal to play for the Swedish national team. It’s something you’ve dreamed about. You’ve watched the national team since you were little.
— But mostly it’s probably due to the fact that it’s a long time between the meetings and we play so differently than in Italy. There will be no real continuity, but you have to adapt to that as well.
Comet career done
Hien believes that the biggest difference between football in the Italian club team Hellas Verona and the national team is the pace. He says it’s “open, but closed” in Italy, that it’s more “Hawaii” while there’s more rhythm and tactics in the national team game.
So far, there have been six international matches for the 24-year-old, who has had a rocket career. As late as 2021, Hien was still playing for Vasalund.
He was close to changing teams this summer. Both Serie A clubs Atalanta and Torino were interested and discussions were quite advanced according to Hien. But the negotiations stalled and Hien remained in Verona – which last year had to qualify to remain in the top league.
Too high a price tag?
Was Hien’s price tag too high?
— Hard to say. I have signed a contract with Hellas and then they have been given the right to set a price for one. You have to respect that. If they feel the bids weren’t good enough, I can have some understanding of that.
He himself was set on a move.
— It’s a little special, of course. The feeling was that if the club gets a good offer, they want to sell, so I had set my sights on a move, probably within Italy. There were many rumors but I don’t know how concrete it was.
— I’ve gotten used to the idea (of staying) and I still enjoy Verona so I don’t feel any great stress. I play every game and enjoy the city. I am ready for year two in Italy.