There is always one player that fans seem to love in every era, at every football club and that is no different at Leeds United and with Swede Pontus Jansson.
His arrival at Elland Road, six games into the 2016/17 season and with Leeds United in the early whimperings of a relegation tussle, was not met with universal acclaim. Some fans commented on his arrival from Torino as just another cheap foreign import from the Italian leagues.
How wrong they were. Jansson began to form a solid defensive partnership with Swansea loanee Kyle Bartley, Leeds United impressively climbing the table. From down at the wrong end of the table, Jansson played an integral part in an 11-game burst that saw the Whites hit the play-offs.
Jansson’s consistency, and uncompromising nature was there for all to see. Songs were sung from the terraces about his skill in heading bricks back in the direction they came from and fans saw his undoubted ability. Leeds were in the play-off picture for 142 days and 26 games before a late loss of form saw them drop to 7th.
His displays for Leeds United not only won him a place in the Championship Team of the Season, but they also won him back his international place. Last year he made the Sweden squad for the World Cup in Russia, appearing for the Swedes during that competition.
Now, with that competition over, it falls to the time of friendly fixtures and UEFA Nations League ties for international sides. Sweden have maintained faith with Jansson, and as can be seen in the following tweet, have made him captain against Austria tonight:
🇸🇪 | @PJansson5 has been named captain for Sweden’s friendly against Austria tonight pic.twitter.com/dvBaaVDXOU
— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 6, 2018
It is an honour earned, and an honour that Leeds United fans have been quick to congratulate the big Swede on. Here’s what some of these Leeds fans are saying on Twitter about Jansson’s achievement:
Bout time!!
— Hannes LindSkogsberg (@LindSkogsberg) September 6, 2018
@RobSanderson85 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
— Daniel Waters (@Dwatersgk1) September 6, 2018
— Louisa Wade (@LouisaWade_) September 6, 2018
@antonmajrud Pontus JansBoss
— Peter Majrud (@MajrudPeter) September 6, 2018
Broken leg incoming
— Jacob Kessler (@jacobkessler82) September 6, 2018
