He’s been called super talented since childhood, but this year Hampus Finndell has blossomed in earnest.
In a long interview, he talked about difficult times in Groningen, rumors of a transfer and that he had to say no to the national team.
1.5 years ago, I had no idea what my football life was like. Being part of a top team in the Nations League is almost chilling, says the 22-year-old.
Hampus Finndell’s football career was marked. When he was 10 years old, he was described as a super talent, and two years later, the whole family left Vasteras for Stockholm in order for Wendel to play with Brommapojkarna.
When he was 15, BP’s youth sporting director, Tommy Soderstrom, called him “our greatest talent” and it was a test match for Manchester United.
But the move was made to Holland and Groningen when Wendel was 16 years old.
– It was very good and very bad. I learned a lot as a footballer, but above all as a human being. Being 16 years old in a foreign country, you feel very lonely. But it is something that I am empowered with and see as a lesson. I’ve become a much better footballer during that time and I have no regrets about quitting early.
“I thought I was better than I was”
However, the longing for home became too great, and when Djurgården reached out after a year and a half, Wendel never wavered.
I missed Sweden, my family, my security, and I didn’t feel comfortable there. Then Djurgården came into the picture and I’m very happy about that.
However, the breakthrough did not come immediately. For the first two years, there was absolutely no time to play and Finndell was loaned to Dalkurd. After a solid season at Superettan, he played for a spot at Djurgården last year. But this year, the 22-year-old has blossomed in earnest and has become the team’s best player in his midfield role.
– When I came back I was very young and I thought it would be faster than it was and that I was better than I was. Obviously it took me then. But I still believed in myself and in the end it was time for me to find a solution where I could have time to play and it turned out to be incredibly good.
Why did he lose everything this season?
– I know I have a good role and play in a good team that suits me well. I’ve been playing free for the last year, but felt like I might not take myself in many situations. This is something I tried to develop this year. In the end, the balls fall in and they have now finally done it. This is perhaps the biggest factor in the fact that things have gone much better this spring season than last year.
Vendel also thinks he is becoming a better “man against man” and says he studied international superstars to become one.
The best midfielders aren’t just players who play on the side, they always try to beat their old man and that’s something I try to include in my game. (Kevin) De Bruyne I follow him a lot. He’s a great footballer who gets in a lot of situations and gets late in the game, it’s something I try to adapt to my game.
Do you see similarities between the two of you?
– No, I probably wouldn’t say that, says Vendel with a smile.
– But he’s an inspiration.
No to the national team
The great spring season has done it in Allsvenskan Jan Anderson Fendell was on his League of Nations aggregate roster in June. After several splits, arrests and injuries, Vendel was also asked ahead of the last game against Norway, but the feeling in his foot meant the midfielder was forced to say no.
– It was very, very boring and I wanted nothing. But maybe there will be more opportunities for me, says Vendel who was just happy to be part of the team.
1.5 years ago, I had no idea what my football life was like. I come from playoffs where we left Superettan. It went really fast for me and it’s something I’m trying to come to terms with. Being part of a top team in the Nations League is almost a chilling thing. It’s so much fun.
Things went quickly, but at the same time Vendel’s career can seem long. There were probably even those who began to doubt whether Västerås’ super talent would ever make so much progress.
I think many people forget that I was seventeen and a half years old when I came to Djurgorden. When I was 18, speculation began about why I wasn’t allowed to play. It all happened to me too soon, and then I lost that I was too young.
How did it feel to have this stamp as a super talent and paint him as BP’s greatest talent ever?
– There’s nothing I can defend against and it’s obviously fun to mention it that way, but looking back it might not have been mentioned correctly. It’s something that follows me sometimes. I have to show that I’m a lot better than everyone else and feel a little extra pressure because of that. It’s something you have to learn to deal with and I think I did.
Don’t leave for anything
Finndell was rumored to several clubs during the Allsvenskan break. He says himself that he knows there is a benefit, but he doesn’t want to know too much.
However, if Djurgården leaves, that’s nothing. If there’s one thing he’s learned from his first adventure abroad, it’s to have a better idea of what’s getting into it.
– It was very difficult for me and is something I am very careful about now if there is something new. I want to know more than I did when I drew last time, says Wendell and continues:
– I’ve always dreamed of my childhood dream and wanted to see how far I could go, but don’t panic for a dime a dozen. I thrive well here and I really appreciate it. I fought so hard for it and now it’s time so I want to take advantage of it.