Former Sweden midfielder Glenn Strömberg is unclear why Viktor Gyökeres failed at Brighton & Hove Albion, as explained in an interview in Thursday’s edition of O Jogo.
Brighton brought the striker from IF Brommapojkarna in January 2018 and his game time at The Amex was restricted. He ended up making eight appearances for the Premier League side.
The Seagulls sent Gyökeres out on loan to FC St. Pauli, Swansea City and Coventry City before selling him to the Sky Blues in 2021.
His displays for Coventry City caught the attention of big clubs in England and across Europe. Sporting were successful in signing the 26-year-old in July 2023.
The Sweden international was instrumental in helping the Lions win the title last season. He finished with 43 goals and 15 assists from 50 games, he’s managed nine goals and three assists from seven matches this season.
Strömberg, who had a spell at Benfica during his playing career, was a big name in Swedish football in the 1980s. He’s given his take on Gyökeres’ spell at Brighton.
“In Sweden, in recent years there has been a lot of talk about Isak, from Newcastle, who is also an excellent striker. But I never doubted that Gyökeres would end up succeeding,” he said, relayed by O Jogo.
“Now, in addition to doing very well at Sporting, he has also performed very well for the national team, such as in the last Nations League games. I don’t know what happened at Brighton and why it took him a little longer to gain attention.
“Last season I watched the games he played for Sporting against Atalanta very closely. I really liked him, he showed what he’s worth and what I’ve been expecting from him for a few years now. He’s the kind of striker I like, I repeat.”
Gyökeres’ displays for Sporting have seen him linked with a move to top clubs. He has a €100m release clause in his current deal, and the Portuguese club insist that’s the figure they want.
