Inside Elland Road: Midfielders and leaders stepping up
Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson expects good things from his new international boss and Whites 'bogeyman' Graham Potter.
Potter agreed to become Sweden manager last month after a disastrous start to their World Cup qualifying campaign under Jon Dahl Tomasson left them with a single point from four games. The 50-year-old, recently sacked by West Ham United, has a short-term contract to take charge of the final two qualifying games over the next week. It will be extended to cover the play-offs and the World Cup tournament itself should Sweden qualify. Even if they don't finish second in Group B, Sweden won the Nations League group C1 and could yet make the play-offs as one of the four best-ranked Nations League section winners.
As a club manager Potter enjoyed great success in games against Gudmundsson's club side, losing just one of his eight encounters with the Whites as the boss of Swansea, Brighton and Chelsea. The 2-1 2018/19 season defeat of the Swans was Leeds' only success against Potter sides. As Brighton manager he masterminded three wins and a pair of draws from five meetings, conceding just a single goal along the way. Then at Chelsea he oversaw a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge when Leeds visited in the 2022/23 campaign.
Ahead of Sweden's games against Switzerland on Saturday and Slovenia on Tuesday, Gudmundsson credited Potter with injecting a 'new energy' into the national team.
"It has been great,” he said. "Graham has come in and already put a good energy in the team. We will use that and we are really looking forward to what we can bring out of this. I am sure it will be good because of his experience at Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham. He is a coach with a lot of experience at the top level. It is really interesting to see what we can do ahead.
“We are coming with a new energy so hopefully we can put this on the pitch as well and show we are better than we have been so far.”
Switzerland lead Group B with 10 points and Gudmundsson knows how difficult a test that game will be. The defender returned to training on Friday according to Swedish outlets, having sat out Thursday's session, so he could be in line to start again for what would be his 20th international cap.
“I am expecting a tough game on Saturday," he said. "We obviously know that from the last time we played them.
“They have a lot of good players in every position so we need to be at our best. They have a lot of experience in their team, a lot of caps and are always doing well at tournaments so it will be a tough game.
“I enjoy it a lot playing for Sweden. It is a dream for every kid back home to pull on the yellow shirt and go out and play. It is always a privilege to be here and always proud every time I get the call up. I enjoy it a lot playing with the best players in Sweden.”
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