Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson is set to become Sweden’s first choice goalkeeper on a more formal basis.
He was in goal for the country in the Nations League because Robin Olsen, then at Aston Villa, was injured. Johansson performed well and many expected the Stoke City player to take the spot long term.
Instead, manager Jon Dahl Tomasson turned back to Olsen for World Cup qualifiers. The now Malmö FF player did not repay the faith. He was far from convincing between the posts.
Naturally, JDT has decided to turn back to the Stoke City player. The manager telephoned Olsen to inform him and then the drama began.
The 35-year-old then had a very public tantrum, and said: “Jon Dahl Tomasson and I sat at the meeting a month ago where he said that I am number one, that I should be the first goalkeeper. And as everyone knows, I made a mistake against Slovenia and that’s never fun. But then I got a call from him yesterday that he was going to replace me and then I felt that he is a leader that I don’t want to work under. That’s why I choose to thank him and go, at least as long as Jon Dahl Tomasson is the national team manager.”
The meeting Olsen refers to was before the two World Cup qualifiers. The games the goalkeeper started in and failed to impress.
Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson to be first choice
Much of the Swedish reaction has been one of shock, because of just how odd it all looks from the stopper. He’s been labelled undignified and selfish, and now JDT has had a chance to reply.
Aftonbladet quote the manager as saying: “I am disappointed with the reaction from Robin. He is letting his teammates down. I’ve been very open, straightforward and clear, I always am.
“I always say what I think. I have supported Robin all the time, he has done a good job for the national team for many years. That’s why I called him and told him that he would not play against Switzerland.”
Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson will get the nod instead. With Olsen setting fire to his Sweden career the Stoke stopper should have a good run ahead if he performs.
