PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Anthony Elanga is poked from the Nations League squad.
Now the national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson reveals that the 22-year-old does not answer the phone.
– I tried to call him but we haven’t made contact, says Tomasson.
During Monday, TV4 came with information that Anthony Elanga is said to have skipped the national team’s closing dinner during the last gathering, and instead went straight back to England.
The national team captain later confirmed Jon Dahl Tomasson the information, but he does not want to say why.
– I don’t think I’m the right person to ask that. It’s better to ask him, says Tomasson.
– What happens within the team, stays within the team.
Elanga is missing
During the autumn’s Nations League group games, there has been just under an hour of playing time in four games for Elanga. However, all of them came in the September collection.
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In October, there was not a single minute for the 22-year-old, who plays everyday in the Premier League team Nottingham.
When Tomasson presented the squad for the upcoming gathering, Elanga was missing, and after the announcement, the parties have not heard from each other.
– He hasn’t called me. Not yet. I tried calling him but to no avail. But I’m sure we’ll get in touch before the next game. There is a long time to go until then and there is plenty of time, says Tomasson.
“It’s strange”
When asked if it is not strange that Elanga does not answer or get in touch, Dahl Tomasson answers.
– It’s a bit strange, but we can’t do anything about it.
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In Jon Dahl Tomasson’s eyes, Elanga’s way of handling his disappointment does not disqualify him from future national team assignments.
– All players are relevant next time.
Jon Dahl admits
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 difficulty in managing young players with a strong belief in themselves.
– Football is about making choices and it is my job to make them. Someone will be disappointed, someone else will be happy. It’s football and it can be tough, says the national team captain.
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Sweden meets Slovakia (Saturday) and Azerbaijan (Tuesday) when the group stage in the Nations League ends.
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