We are only weeks away from Spring, a new Damallsvenskan season awaits us!
It has been a season of change for Linköping FC. The last few seasons have seen several long term players leave and the investment in younger players has now paid off with the development of several members of the U19 Swedish European winners breaking into the Senior team. There is excitement in the air! We are 4 weeks away from the first leg of the Champions League Quarter Final against Brondy.
I’ve been following Linköping for three years, have traveled to different countries (even Russia!) to see them play. They will forever be the team I support no matter where I am in the world.
So as the 2015 season begins here is a guide to the team that I believe will be Damallsvenskan champions 2015
This promises to be a great season at Linköpings FC!
We said goodbye to a legend last season in Linda Sällström. Everyone who supports the club wish you well for the new season and we hope to see you banging in the goals like you do so well! Also congratulations on former goalkeeper Sofia Lundgren for a full return to the game.
As of 21 February here is an insight into the main Linköpings team for 2015
Goalkeepers
Kaitlynn Fraine
Established herself as a leading goalkeeper in Damalsvenskan in the 2014 season. Excellent shot stopper and comfortable in the air. 2013/14 were difficult times for goalkeepers at Linköping but Fraine has made the position hers with a string of fine performances. Former U23 USA team member, another season like 2014 and I cannot see why a USA call up will be far away.
Casja Andersson
New signing with great experience in Elitettan with Älta. Quick to get down at players feet, she has an accurate kick and great shot stopper. Will learn and develop with Fraine and will no doubt get her chance to play in cup games this season to prove how she has improved.
Defence
Charlotte Rohlin
Captain, leader, legend! 2014 was Lotta’s best season in years. Not only fully back from the injury nightmares but also forced her way back into the Swedish team for the Algarve Cup this spring. May have lost a bit of pace but still one of the best centre backs in the country. Strong, reliable, dangerous in the air and never afraid to throw herself into a tackle. Leader on and off the pitch and led Linköping to Cup gold in 2014. Will be a big year for Lotta, World Cup and CL. But there is nobody better!
Jannie Arnth
With the departure of Nilla Fischer Jennie Nordin looked likely to be a direct replacement, but Linköpings needed experience and there is no better signing than Jannie. Established international player with a vast of experience. Watching her first two games (one the cup final!) it was like Rohlin and Arnth had played together for years, towering presence at the back, strong in the air, commanding and a born leader. Arnth is a player that Linköping need for many years to come. Key player for us this season
Jessica Samuelsson
Good reliable season in 2014 that saw Jessica break into the Swedish senior team and hold the left back position as her own. Still only 23 Jessica is becoming a world class player. Not afraid to go forward, quick, the best tackler in the league and also a shot that Diego Costa would be proud of. Future captain of Linköpings FC I believe.
Magdalena Ericsson
I did not know much about Ericssson before the 2013 season but she had an amazing first season at Linköpong. 2014 was the same, 15 games and just one appearance as a substitute. Alongside Samuelsson Magdalena is an established defender for the team. Just 22 but with 34 games played for Linköping Magdalena is no longer a star of the future, she is already there.
Maja Krantz
At Linköping since 2007 Maja has become a legend at the club. 134 games for the club and just seems to be getting better! Organises the team, leads by example and Maja is a player that just never gives up, dedicated, determined, the backbone of Linköping FC:
Jonna Andersson
Now playing in a more defensive positions Jonna has excelled in the past two seasons at Linköping. As good in attack as in defence Jonna has 10 goals in 74 games for the club. Great tackler, and very dangerous from set pieces. A secret weapon as she can play as a centre forward and a centre back. Not many players have this and Jonna has the strength to run for 90 minutes without breaking a sweat! Will be a key player for us this season.
Midfield
Mariann Gajhede Knudsen
Vastly experienced Danish midfielder. Reliable in attack and defending. As ever, played every single game in the 2014 season.. Great tackler and passer. Almost 100 caps for Denmark. Not known for her goal scoring Mariann scored the opener against Sweden in the 2013 European opening game. Very powerful tackler. Everytime I speak to former player Lisa De Vanna the first player mentioned in Mariann. The engine in the Linköping team. Never want to see her play for another club!
Emma Lennartsson
17 games played last season in her second year at the club. Breaks the game down superbly and can play central or wide in midfield. Not the most physical of players but much looks can be deceiving! She is strong, skilful and has the ability to pick out a pass from one side of the pitch to the other. Never one to complain if on the bench Emma is a key player for the club and an outstanding player in any game.
Renee Slegers
Tough year for Renee with just 8 games played in 2014. But not one to give up without a fight she will be back challenging all the midfield for their positions this season. One of the most consistent and impressive midfielders in Damallsvenskan. International and at 24 years of age already a seasoned professional. Attacking midfielder with a lethal long range ability. Never gives up wanting to win.
Claudia Neto
Portuguese international. Many comparisons to Ronaldo! But Claudia is better! , never easy for a non speaking Swedish person to fit into the club but Claudia has adapted well. Eight games last season but I know it will be many more this year. Skilful, creative and deadly free kick. Let’s hope Claudia can carry on and deliver what we know she can!
Tove Almqvist
Exciting and naturally gifted midfielder signed from Nyköping. Ten games last year with three starts. Still finding her way in the team but at the age of 19 has much to offer. Good tackler, great passer of the ball, one to watch for the 2015/6 seasons.
Kristine Minde
Attacking midfield/forward, a signing from Norwegian side Arna-Bjørnar. 23 years old and one the outsanding players of 2014. 20 games, 5 goals and in an engine in attacking midfield. Played in the final of the European Championships gaining a silver medal against Germany. Will be a key player and the vital link between midfield and attack. Lets hope for more goals this season!
Venera Rexhi,
Young signing in 2013. When I first saw Rexhi play I thought she was good at tricks and flips of the ball but had not much else. How wrong I was! Developed into a exciting and tricky winger, can take the ball past people like they were not ever there, the most skilful of players in midfield and very unselfish when it comes to assists. Two vital goals last season and Rexhi will be a very effective player for this season ahead.
Vera Djatel
Surprise signing! Effective in attacking midfield and a player that not many know about in Sweden. A long term target for Linköping they finally got their player! Experienced international aged 30 with 14 years playing experience. Deadly free kicks, accurate passing, eye for goal and also a tackle to put the fear into Chuck Norris himself! Wonderful player that will become a key member of the team this year.
Emilia Larsson
Young, exciting and talented player. Has worked very hard coming through the junior team and U19. Will find it hard to get many games this season but certainly Emilia will have her chance to show why Linköping have awarded her a first team contract. Can score, pass and is difficult to get off the ball. From Linköping she is patient and a two year contract will give her time to develop and mature into a good team player.
Attack
Stina Blackstenius
One of the most talented young players in Sweden. Now has the chance to play freely with the creative midfield. A lot of unfair expectations on Stina’s young shoulders. She is certainly one of the most talented players of her age in Europe and I hope she finds the net more this season. A natural goal scorer with a great mind to play people in also. 2014 was a great learning year, 2015 we want the goal machine to shine! Outstanding young player, let us give her all our support this year.
Pernille Harder
Has developed into one of the best forwards in the world. If I could pick a world XI Pernille would be in my starting team, no question. The past two seasons Harder has scored 27 goals in 34 games. Just incredible. Had an injury scare last year that we hope we never see. Pernille is the success of Linköping, handles pressure like a fish handles water, one of the true world class players in Sweden. We may not see Pernille forever so let’s just enjoy her talent whilst she is here. I predict 20 goals this year for Pernille!
Fridolina Rölfö
Fridolina take a bow! As far as first seasons go that was something! This time last year I wrote Rolfö was a player I knew little of. Fast forward one year and who can forget her hat trick against Liverpool in the Champions League? Or 8 goals in the league? I am a quick walker but I remember seeing Fridolina walk to the stadium one day ahead of me, talk about fast!
With Harder and Blackstenius I am calling our strikers the Three Amigos! Fast, furious and damn right dangerous! Fridolina’s national experience is well deserved. A truly magnificent player.
So what would be my starting XI?
Fraine
Samuelsson, Rohlin, Arnth, Ericsson
Gajhede Knudsen, Djatel,Minde
Harder
Blackstenius, Rolfö
