Pontus Jansson is heading home but he can boast an appearance in the quarter finals of a World Cup. That won’t make him feel much better this evening but looking back in years to come it will be a proud moment for his himself and his family.
Pontus Jansson leads the celebrations for #SWE yesterday! #lufc
(johnguidetti – instagram) pic.twitter.com/SJCQQcGPlc
— Leeds United News (@LeedsUnitedYEP) July 4, 2018
Jansson appeared as a late sub but couldn’t prevent Sweden from crashing out of the World Cup against England, a 2-0 defeat after goals from Harry Maguire and Deli Alli. Jansson, a Leeds United favourite and centre-back was thrown on as striker and target man for the last ten minutes. He won some headers and put himself about but didn’t have time to do much.
The fact Sweden had two Championship players on the park at the end, Jansson and Olsson as well as Seb Larsson who left Hull City this summer shows the level of opposition England were up against however beating what’s in front of you is all you can do. Sweden have reached the quarter finals for a reason organised and disciplined.
Jansson actually started the opening game of the World Cup for Sweden, a 1-0 win over South Korea and a clean sheet, something that Germany couldn’t even do, in fact Sweden and Jansson were the only team to stop South Korea from scoring at the tournament.
Jansson will now have a break before returning to meet his new head-coach Marcelo Bielsa. The speculation about Jansson leaving Leeds has been rife but under Bielsa it seems he will be happy to stay, his ability is top-end Championship and Leeds will be delighted to have him back, even if it is at the expense of the Swedish World Cup dream.
Bielsa has a lack of options at the back currently, in fact Liam Cooper is the only recognised centre-back at the club, first-team anyway. Paudie O’Connor was the other who could have been classed but he was loaned to Blackpool yesterday.
