Шведский экспорт - больше чем Volvo, IKEA и ABBA
Источник: Russian Football News
What links CSKA's midfield linchpin Pontus Wernbloom & last season’s joint top RPL goalscorer Wanderson?
The answer is the Swedish city of Gothenburg. Both of these impressive player's careers really took off whilst playing in Sweden's second city and they are not the only current RPL players with a Swedish footballing background. Here I will run down some ex-Allsvenskan (Sweden's premier league) players plying their trade in the RPL and put forward some current Swedish based talents who may join them in the not too distant future.
Pontus Wernbloom, CSKA Centre forward early in his career, but now renowned combative defensive midfielder and collector of yellow cards. Impressed highly with IFK Gothenburg during his four years in blue and white, and thereafter with AZ in Holland before joining the Army men.
Rasmus Elm, CSKA The more technical of Slutsky's Swedish duo came to prominence with Kalmar FF during their title winning season of 2008, playing alongside older brothers Viktor and David. He joined up with Wernbloom at AZ before following his compatriot to Moscow.
Kim Källström, Spartak While CSKA's Swedish signings have paid off handsomely, Spartak's Swede has had a much less successful time, as he continues to be tied to the bench. Things were not always this way, from his original breakthrough days at BK Hacken (based in Gothenburg) and at Djurgården, where he won back-to-back championships. This success led to a trophy-laden time with Lyon, via a two season stint at Rennes. Will those good times return at Spartak or is the exit getting ever nearer?
Andreas Granqvist, Krasnodar The 28-year-old marauding centre back comes into the Bulls squad with a wealth of European experience, having played for Helsingborg in his homeland, Wigan in England, Groningen in Holland and Genoa in Italy. Top that off with 32 international caps and Krasnodar have a very good addition, one they hope can help them to climb into contention for a European berth next season.
Wanderson, Krasnodar Allsvenskan's top scorer in 2009 and top “assister” in 2011 whilst playing for GAIS. In two stints with the Gothenburg club, either side of a money move to Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian netted 39 times. RPL fans have seen his ability and if the goals continue to flow maybe a bigger club awaits.
The 2006 and 2012 Allsvenskan top scorers are also housed in the RPL, Krasnodar's recent signing Ari and Majeed Waris of Spartak.
Speaking of top scorers, guess in which Swedish city Terek's top goal getter of last term, Ailton, used to play in? That’s right... Gothenburg! He was a big hit with Örgryte, the city's third club, and averaged better than a goal every three games during his two year stay.
3 Swedish based players who could have a RPL future
Pär Hansson, Goalkeeper, Helsingborg Now 27 and somehow still playing in Sweden, the club captain and undoubted top Allsvenskan keeper will surely move abroad soon. Despite the foreign player limits of the RPL, the future national team number one would be a very wise investment.
Pontus Jansson, Centre Back, Malmö FF The towering defender is drawing attention from across Europe. Only 22, but has four top flight seasons behind him already, all of which were impressive. Technically gifted as well as being 194cm tall gives him a diversity of defensive talents.
Kennedy Igboananike, Forward, AIK Bit of an outside tip, but Waris' surge from being a bit goal shy in 2011 to being snapped up by Spartak in 2012 shows anything can happen in football and that it usually does. Kennedy, 24, moved to AIK from major local rival Djurgården in November 2012 after 60 appearances and 15 goals. So far this year he has 9 in 18 which could be enough to entice some bids for the jet-heeled front man come January.
