Hien, who left Djurgården for Hellas Verona in Italian Serie A this summer, has been able to choose the national team between Burkina Faso, Ghana and Sweden. Now it is clear that the 23-year-old’s choice falls on Sweden.
— His physique, attitude to the game and tactical ability will be an important part. An impressive journey, it will be fun to work with him, comments Andersson about the selection of Hien.
Andersson confirmed that nine players were not eligible for selection, including seasoned midfielder Albin Ekdal and long-term injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Three players from the Polish team
In the attack, 29-year-old Mikael Ishak was something of a star pick. Clubmate and centre-back Filip Dagerstål, 25, is also selected. Midfielder Jesper Karlström, 27, completes the Lech Poznan trio.
— Ishak has been selected before, he is a smart player and a classic goalscorer. We have been curious about him. Now we felt it was time to bring him along. Goal stealer, good physically and a real match winner, Andersson says of Ishak and goes on to talk about Dagerstål:
— Dagerstål got to play balance player when I had him as a youngster in Norrköping. He is growing all the time and plays in Lech Poznan today. A clever centre-back.
Young duo can make national team debut
Midfielder Patrik Wålemark, 20, and defender Aiham Ousou, 22, can both debut for the national team.
— Wålemark had an exciting journey and was very good before he disappeared to Feyenoord. If you take a Feyenoord shirt, it’s a good football team. He can break in with his left foot and pass and score. A coming man, says Janne Andersson.
Sweden first meets Serbia away in Belgrade on September 24 and then Slovenia at home at Friends Arena on September 27.