Cordoba. After Olympic success, 25-year-old Philippa Engeldahl was recognized in the Swedish midfield, but in the Manchester City club the Swedish playing time was limited.
Something that could be a problem for Gerhardsson at WC.
I am clearly not satisfied, says Engeldahl.
Engeldahl had the chance in City’s opening match against Aston Villa, but against Chelsea she returned to the bench.
-You obviously always wanted more playtime, to have that chance, but that’s not something I can influence, she says and continues:
What I can influence is training and I will continue to give one hundred percent there and show that I want to play.
Prior to this season, City lost a number of stars such as European gold medalist Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh. The question is whether it can open up opportunities for Swedish.
– I don’t know. We only played two games. Of course it is difficult. I’m coming from the spring I’ve experienced and obviously you’ve always wanted to play, but it’s tough when you don’t have that confidence from the coach, she says.
Problems before the toilet
During the spring, Angeldahl had limited playing time and had not played a game from the start in the league.
Gerhardsson has spoken several times about how important it is for players to have playing time in their club environment. Something the 25-year-old has in common.
– It is clearly not better to sit on the bench. Needless to say, we play soccer to play soccer matches. Meanwhile, there are several months left until the restroom and there’s a lot going on that you never know.
How does playing regularly not affect you as a player?
Obviously it affects the rhythm of matches and everything like that, but I am confident in myself as a footballer. But it goes without saying that it is affected compared to playing every weekend.
Is wasted time playing something that worries you before the restroom?
– Worry, I don’t know. Obviously, everyone wants to play. Everyone in the national team wants to play, they are the best football players. I’m in good physical shape so of course I want to play and show that I’m still good enough to play eleven years.
Trust from Gerhardsson
She will have the opportunity to prove it in the training matches against Spain and France, because there are many question marks in the midfield now that captain Caroline Seeger had to undergo surgery after the European Commission and to be replaced from this summer’s tournament, Natalie Bjorn was selected as full-back.
Add to that the only question mark for Gerhardsson ahead of the international training match against Spain is Hacken captain Philippa Cormark, who has a neck lock issue.
Angeldahl has also received a great deal of trust from Peter Gerhardson Since the success in Tokyo.
– Of course it gives a boost. When you don’t trust the club team, come here and get it, she says and concludes:
I love playing for Sweden and I want to play every game, so of course it’s fun to play football matches and have that confidence. At the same time, I know I have to keep working hard.