Middlesbrough have enjoyed a good run since they appointed Kim Hellberg, with the manager arriving from Hammarby IF in November.
On December 8th, the coach admitted Hammarby’s Victor Eriksson could be an option for Middlesbrough. Five days later, the defender said it would be tempting to join Boro, but made clear there isn’t anything concrete.
Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet have sent someone to Middlesbrough to interview the manager. Part of the chat was about Eriksson, and Hellberg suggested earlier comments were taken out of context.
The manager was asked whether the 25-year-old is an option for Boro.
Hellberg didn’t rule out arrivals from the Swedish league, and said his experience in Sweden can help the Championship club.
“We’re going to talk about players tomorrow [yesterday, Thursday]. They are very good at scouting players here. Then we’ll have discussions,” he said.
“The Swedish market is of course an interesting market. If you have a coach who has worked there for as many years as I have, it’s of course a skill you can use. Then I’m not the one who will make the decisions about which players will come in or not, but I will certainly be part of them.
“There are many players in the Allsvenskan so it’s not impossible that someone will show up for sure. So, we’ll see. Victor is a good player regardless, but it’s not like I’m saying we have to sign him.”
Middlesbrough manager taking things calmly
Hammarby’s sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg doesn’t want to sell Eriksson in the winter market. Despite this, the possibility of Hellberg raiding his former club for the defender or another player isn’t ruled out.
“I think all Hammarby players are under contract so that will be a very good cash flow for the guys over there because they don’t sell players cheaply,” Hellberg explained.
“For them it’s just good that interest is built in their players, then they decide whether to say yes or no. I see it more as me helping there. Of course we want to have as good a team as possible, but there is a very high quality in the squad. We’ll see if anyone with a Swedish connection comes along.”
The Swedish newspaper are curious to know what he needs during the January window. Hellberg indicates he’s pleased with the options currently available at his disposal.
“It’s difficult. I said from the beginning that I didn’t want to be involved that much because I wanted to see the players in the training environment and not just go by what other people say or what players the other coaches have chosen to play,” he added.
“I haven’t been able to see Bangura, for example, because he hasn’t played anything. Now I’ve built up a better picture of it, and it makes it a little easier to communicate. To be completely honest, we’ll see what Kieran [Scott] and they think, how much they want to spend and on which positions. Right now, I’m very happy.”
