|
 |
 |
|
CHRISTIAN WILHELMSSON
Squad Number 07/08: 14
Date of Birth: 08 December 1979
Nationality: Sweden
Contract: January 2008 - July 2008 (loaned)
Transfer: --------
Previous Clubs: Bolton Wanderers (July 2007 - January 2008), AS Roma (January 2007 - July 2007), FC Nantes (2006-2007), RSC Anderlecht (2003-2006), Stabæk IF (2000-2003), Mjällby AIF(1997-2000)
Buy-out Clause: ----
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Position: Attacking Midfielder (right/left)
|
|
|
 On Wednesday January 30th 2008, Christian Wilhelmsson became the first Swedish player to join Deportivo. Coach Lotina was needing to reinforce the right wing and the ex-Bolton man was selected for the job due to his skills and international experience. President Lendoiro closed a loan spell for six months with FC Nantes, the owner of his rights, the deal doesn’t include a buyout option.
CHRISTIAN WILHELMSSON started his career at Mjällby AIF in Sweden during the year 1997, Mjällby was playing at that time in Division 1 -second division in Sweden- he stayed there for three seasons. He was a young boy then and he really struggled with his football career, having big problems being a regular in his club. It was not until he was 17-18 years he started to shine and came close to playing in the Swedish Division 1. However, Wilhelmsson never played in the Swedish Premier Division. He is one of very few Swedish national team players to never have done that.
In 2000, he was transferred to Norwegian team Stabæk IF and participated in 81 liga games scoring three goals, later he joined RSC Anderlecht in the year 2003. It was in the Belgian team where Wilhelmsson started to call the attention of everybody, he performed in 84 liga encounters scoring thirteen goals and winning two Jupiler Leagues (seasons 2003-2004 and 2005/2006).
The winger, nicknamed 'Chippen' for his velocity, has been described as a skilful player with dribbling abilities, his natural position is the right wing, but he can also perform on the left. During his stage at Anderlecht, he also played two UEFA Champions League seasons, but the Belgian side was only able to win one of twelve games after been drawn in a very tough group on both occasions, firstly with Valencia, Inter Milan and Werder Bremen (season 2004/2005), then with Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Betis (2005/2006 campaign). At least Wilhelmsson was able to score two goals in the first edition (against Bremen and Valencia).
Then for the season 2006/2007, he was transferred to French's side FC Nantes in a €4 million move. And it was a disaster, firstly because he arrived to the French club enjoying of the support from coach Serge Le Dizet, but after his exit, new coach Georges Eo didn't like him and he only had a few opportunities. More precisely, he only played nine liga games, although he scored four goals. It was also a disaster because FC Nantes ended in the relegation zone at the end of the campaign. But before to Nantes’ relegation, in January of 2007, Wilhelmsson was loaned to AS Roma, he was signed as the replacement of the Brazilian Mancini, and he did a good job in the Italian side.
 'Chippen' made a positive impression and played twelve matches in Serie A, he also contributed with one goal. The Swedish also played the UEFA Champions League with the Italian side and debuted in the first knockout round against Lyon, he played both legs as a replacement, but later Roma felt down in quarterfinals against Manchester United in a series that included an humiliating 1-7 at Old Trafford, the Swedish winger was a starter in both legs.
Roma's officials were happy with Wilhelmsson, but they considered that the €4 million buyout option in the loan contract with Nantes was too expensive and they didn't fulfil it, reason why the player returned to Nantes just to be loaned out again for the season 2007/2008, this time to Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.
Wilhelmsson was the staring signing of Sammy Lee's side, and his first problems came with the injuries. He didn't participated in the first games since he was declared unfit to play and later, in October of 2007, he suffered an ankle injury during Sweden's 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland in a qualifying game for the EURO 2008. He was taken off the field by a stretcher. Although his injury wasn't serious, he spent a lot of time out of action. Besides, after Sammy Lee's exit from Bolton, the winger never convinced new manager Gary Megson. Enough reasons why he only fulfilled eight appearances with the Premiership club.
'Chippen' also presents a large curriculum with Sweden's national team, he made his National team debut in 2001 during a friendly against Faroe Islands. Until his arrival to La Coruña, he had 48 international games with the national squad, including his participation in the UEFA EURO 2004 and the FIFA World Cup 2006, tournament in which he played the four games in which Sweden was involved.
He was also related in a problem with his national team. It occurred on September of 2006 when Sweden was preparing the begging of the qualifying games for the EURO 2008, more precisely the debuting match against Liechtenstein in Gothenburg. Wilhelmsson, together with Mellberg and Ibrahimovic, broke the team's rules after they returned to the squad's hotel over two hours late, apparently because they were celebrating Mellberg's 30th birthday. No alcohol was involved though. However, they were expelled from the team, Wilhelmsson asked for apologies for this incident and later he was accepted once again in the squad.
Knowing that he was needing to play games with more frequency in order to be fit to enter into the list of his country for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2008, ‘Chippen’ started to search for a new destiny, and it was then when he met the interest of Deportivo.. The Galician team was searching for experience and for a ‘revulsive’ in its right wing and Wilhelmsson fulfilled the profile requested by coach Lotina. That’s why president Lendoiro signed a loan spell with FC Nantes for the period: January 2008 - July 2008. The loan deal doesn’t include a buyout option.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
