Jesper Karlström has returned his offer but is not being replaced in Sweden’s national team.
Against Portugal and Albania, Jon Dahl Tomasson will also use many different players. – No one is in the freezer, says the new national team captain.
In the past few days, the Swedish Football Association announced that midfielder Jesper Karlström is forced to withdraw from the first meeting with new association captain Jon Dahl Tomasson. It began in Portuguese Porto on Monday.
Then the Dane announced that Karlström, who suffered from an infection, will not be replaced in the squad that will take on Portugal (March 21) and Albania (March 25).
– I have spoken to Jesper and I am sorry that he cannot be there. He needs more time. I will not call in a replacement, says Tomasson.
– I took a total of 26 players as a starting point, so we have a lot of players. That is the reason why no substitute is called in.
“All doors are open”
The national team captain also announces that many different players in the squad will get playing time against Portugal and Albania, which are international training matches. When asked if there will be two different starting elevens, he replies:
– We will actually play four matches during this period, because we also play the U21 matches. There, those players get the opportunity to perform as well. Do not misunderstand me.
– No one will be in the freezer. All doors are open and we will try to give many players playing time during our two matches (with the A national team).
Sweden’s U21 national team plays matches against Cyprus and North Macedonia during this collection. The squad includes players such as Lucas Bergvall, Sebastian Nanasi and Roony Bardghji.