After an unexpected poke this spring, Emma Holmgren, 25, thought about her future at French club Lyon.
– But they hold me tight and believe in me and want to keep me there, so I have to go for it, says the national team goalkeeper.
The first year at Lyon was not good Emma Holmgren Think. When first-choice goalkeeper Christian Endler, considered by many to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, was injured, the Swede saw her chance. But then Leon chose instead to accompany Sarah Bouhaddi.
However, the petting was not about Holmgren being a worse goalkeeper. The club has a different interpretation.
– I was obviously disappointed and told that they wanted a French-speaking goalkeeper, she says and continues:
– Of course you get a little like, well, I kind of knew about that before I came here, but then, it’s just a matter of nibbling, and only then is my goal now to get the French.
I found the benefit
When Holmgren is asked if she has traded an hour of physics for an hour of French, she laughs and points out that she has been working with the language since she moved to France.
It’s something I practiced more on when I got a message like that that they think you’re good as a goalkeeper but they want a goalkeeper who speaks French.
According to information from Sportbladet, several clubs have shown interest in the Swedish goalkeeper during the summer, but Holmgren will remain at Lyon.
– Yes, but exactly. It’s true, but Leon has a strong grip on me and believes in me and wants to keep me there, so I have to strive for it. I feel like I’m improving and it’s a very good training environment to play with the best players in the world in every training session.
How close are you to leaving?
“Obviously I would have liked to have a better environment for the match and this part and above all to play more matches, but I have a contract at Lyon and they believe in me very much.”
The club is now clear that Holmgren is the second goalkeeper behind Endler and Holmgren is hoping to have more time to play for the French top club, which holds both the League and Champions League titles at the same time as a defence.
– It’s definitely the best training environment in the world. I obviously miss playing matches and hope to get more matches in the fall.
