2018 World Cup Radar: Sweden’s Emil Forsberg

Sweden successfully defied the odds last time out with a narrow victory against Gianpiero Ventura’s Italy. The win secured safe passage to the 2018 World Cup in Russia this summer, whilst the famous Azzurri were forced to lick their wounds and contemplate just what went wrong out there.

 

One Swedish player to announce himself with real style and verve arrives in the form of RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg. The 26-year-old has been in strong form for both club and country of late, leading some keen onlookers to question just how much Sweden can achieve with the marauding midfield man among their ranks.

 

Russia we are coming ????????????? pic.twitter.com/PwMHzDlFGv

— Emil Forsberg (@eforsberg10) November 13, 2017

 

As something of a late bloomer within the grand scheme of things, Emil Forsberg is rapidly stealing the spotlight among Swedish footballing circles. In the absence of the notoriously mercurial Zlatan Ibrahimović, perhaps he could be the man to step up and lead Swedish footballing hopes into a brand new era of triumph and prosperity.

 

The up and coming Scandinavian star developed much of his early success whilst playing in his native homeland, for GIF Sundsvall and Malmo FF respectively. Operating as the son of yet another renowned Swedish goal-scorer with the name ‘Forsberg’ on his back, big things were expected of young Emil when he first introduced himself among the German Bundesliga in 2015.

 

Emil Forsberg reminds me a bit of a younger David Silva. Fantastic moving in between the lines, and creating space for himself. Always looks like he has time on the ball, and is pure hell to pick up for defenders.

— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) November 10, 2017

 

Emil Forsberg has been in absolutely sensational form for his current employers, RB Leipzig. The Swede is adept at crossing, dribbling, taking set pieces and providing key passes to his teammates all across the pitch. What the midfielder lacks in aggression and determination, he more than makes up for via his unyielding vision and creative flair in crucial areas.

 

The 26-year-old represents one of the most entertaining prospects currently operating among the German top-flight. His keen eye for goal and striking intelligence have been instrumental in RB Leipzig’s recent rise up the table, which certainly bodes well for Sweden upon the international scene this summer.

 

Emil Forsberg. Bring him to United and Lukaku won't be complaining about lack of chances. #MUFC

— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) November 12, 2017

 

Now, with Zlatan Ibrahimović no longer hogging the lion’s share of the spotlight for Sweden upon the prestigious international stage, perhaps the Scandinavians will be offered the opportunity to rediscover some much needed identity and character among future tournaments.

 

The likes of Marcus Berg and Ola Toivonen have big shoes to fill in Zlatan’s absence, but with the quick-witted Emil Forsberg operating just behind them among Sweden’s designated three man attack, the future remains a place of new prospects and emerging possibilities for Janne Andersson’s side.

 

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the footballing god that is Emil Forsberg

— . (@PassDontShoot) November 10, 2017

 

Although Sweden certainly face something of a clear uphill battle among the upcoming proceedings at Russia 2018 this summer, this is a team that is capable of progressing quite considerably in the not too distant future, especially with Emil Forsberg working his hard-fought magic in the middle of the pitch.

 

An illustrious move to away from the German top-flight could possibly await the in-form midfielder if the 2018 World Cup proves one to remember for Sweden. Forsberg and co. are currently 80/1 (with Bet365) to go all the way and record their first ever World Cup triumph in electrifying circumstances, so perhaps anything is rightly possible this upcoming summer…

 

Everyone crying about Buffon, fair enough, but he's already won a World Cup. No one else buzzing for Emil Forsberg?? @RBLeipzig_EN

— Jack (@MainManMane000) November 14, 2017

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