The move was completed two weeks ago.
Now Hjalmar Ekdal, 24, is talking about first time, first appearance and goal directly for Burnley.
– a successful start. Then you can treat yourself to a beer, he tells Sportbladet.
On January 21, the transfer from Djurgården to Burnley was completed. The clear leadership team of the tournament paid around SEK 30 million for the centre-back.
In a classic but true cliché, Ekdal immediately paid off with a solid performance and goal in a 3-0 win away to Norwich at the Carrow Road classic on Saturday afternoon.
– It was a difficult start, says Hjalmar Ekdal when Sportbladet reached him.
in several ways?
The effort is all from me and the team. It was stable, I played easy and tried to get into grappling and I think everything worked out well. I am very happy with this debut.
What do you say about the goal?
It was Ian Matsen’s long corner with a touch. I was about a meter away from the target so I couldn’t miss it.
– It happened so quickly at the moment that I could hardly understand. Celebration came instinctively. I’m busy thinking about what I’m going to do in the corners – and then I instantly become a target. Only now that I understand what happened.
– It wasn’t like I had any goal gesture planned, I was mostly shocked and the others on the team hugged me so quickly. I didn’t have time for any extraordinary celebration, Ekdal says with a laugh.
– Burnley had great support in place so it was fun to show that in front of them. I am spoiled by the strong supporter following after my years with Djurgården.
What are your impressions after these first weeks?
– very positive. I got used to it quickly. I didn’t think I would play so fast. There is a lot to learn in the way we are going to play. It’s like going to school again.
It’s related to the way Vincent Kompany coaches and leads his team. There is a lot of information in each training but I think it went well. The pace is much higher and more intense, and the standard is higher. It must be dealt with.
What does Kompany tell you?
He has rules and methods in every situation on the pitch, he basically wants us to be cool with the ball and play all the time. He wants to see from me what I had in Sweden before. He often says that midfielders in general have to push the ball forward and that’s something I like. It looks like a good match to me and the way we play.
You’re clearly top of the table and have 17 points to third place (the first and second go straight to the Premier League). This can not be missed, right?
– The fact that it is a great site cannot be underestimated. But there are 17 rounds left, 51 points to play for. That’s a hell of a lot. We cannot withdraw anything in advance.
– The club’s mentality and philosophy is good, so I don’t think we’ll run away, but just focus on the next game.
Can you party tonight?
– There could be beer tonight. I missed him. We have training tomorrow and Monday and then there’s a game on Tuesday again. There will be no huge celebration.
How do you actually work, did you find housing?
– I’m still living in a hotel, I’m looking for an apartment, but I hope it will work out next week, says Hjalmar Ekdal.
