Isaac Kiese Thelin followed up a late inning in the World Cup qualifier against Spain on Thursday by starting against Uzbekistan on Sunday. In addition, he scored in the training international match, which Blågult won 2-1.
– It was fun to start and score goals. I was tagged. It’s been a while since I joined the national team and I’m happy to be here. I just try to show myself from my best side in training and in the matches, says the forward.
The goal is Kiese Thelin’s first for Sweden since October 2018, when he netted against Turkey in the Nations League.
– It is always nice to score goals as a striker. Then it is difficult to score goals when you have not been involved for a while. But it is clear that it is important for self-confidence to score goals.
Right now, the Anderlecht forward looks to be fourth in the hierarchy in his position in the national team. Alexander Isak, Dejan Kulusevski and Robin Quaison lead the way.
– It is very tough competition. We have many good players and that is good for Sweden.
The 29-year-old’s hope is now to be able to get continuous playing time in Anderlecht in order to hold on to his national team place.
– It is an important period for me now, that I get to play in my club team so that I can show myself from my best side. I’m very happy to be here and want to stay. So I’m fighting and we’ll take it from there.
Before most international transfer windows closed, on August 31, Kiese Thelin was rumored to be up for a club change. He was placed, for example, in French Saint Etienne. But so far he is still in Belgium.
– I have had some options during the window, but I have felt that I wanted to stay in Anderlecht. With the options I had, it felt better to stay. Then there are a few days left on some windows, so we’ll see what happens.
Kiese Thelin does not close the door for a late move. A possible destination for him is Turkey, whose transfer window closes on September 8, on Wednesday. There he has previously played for Kasimpasa.
So far this season, the Swede has mostly had to make do with joining Anderlecht.
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