WhoScored interview's Viktor Claesson - top rated player in Sweden

To mark the coverage of yet another league in detailed Opta stats provided by WhoScored.com, this time branching out to Sweden’s Allsvenskan, Emanuele Giulianelli interviewed the league’s highest rated player. With the 2016 season edging closer to its conclusion, we spoke with Viktor Claesson, a midfielder that is very much living up to his early potential.

Back in the national side after a period passed between his debut and a recall early this year, Claesson talked of his international aspirations, his qualities and one day testing himself among Europe's finest.

It’s been a difficult year for his club, Elfsborg, currently mid-table in the league with inconsistency plaguing their season to now. It’s something that the one constant in the side - Claesson - acknowledged. “I think there are many reasons for our disappointing results this year (so far). We had a really bad start to the season and have been struggling all year since. At the start of the year we had a lot of changes in the back four positions, which didn’t help. We have also had injuries to key players and have not been able to start with the same team many for matches in a row.”

Nevertheless the 24-year old remains confident for the club’s future prospects, knowing that patience was always likely to be required. “A couple of players have left and we have added some new faces during the season. It will take some time before we can play at our full potential together and be a winning team again, but we have some new, young and fresh players now and future looks bright!”

Despite the team taking time to gel, however, the all action midfielder has been in superb form from an individual perspective once more. Six goals and five assists are strong figures from the middle of the park, and Claesson’s performances haven’t been restricted to an effective attacking output. Whilst leading Elfsborg in both shots (2.8) and key passes (1.8) per game, the fact that the midfielder is also top for the club in tackles (2.5 per game) and interceptions (3.7) highlights just how important he is to this side, though Claesson is modest with regards to his season so far.

“It is always difficult to judge and analyse yourself. I just play my best football and fight hard. Then it is up to other people to build their own opinion. At least I feel like I am improving my play every day. It feels like I am a better player today then yesterday and learning new things all the time.”

The defensive side of his game is certainly an area that the Swedish international has worked on a great deal in recent years, but while clearly paying off, Claesson still feels it’s his attacking qualities that are the stronger. “I think my offensive play has always been the stronger part of my game, but in the last few years I feel that my defensive skills have improved a lot. I feel confident to play in a forward role, a deeper attacking position or as a box-to-box midfielder.”

His versatility will no doubt stand him in good stead, moving into a deeper position this season having been deployed primarily as an attacking midfielder last, and this ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch has drawn what some would argue is overdue recognition from the national side. Having first been called up to the Sweden senior squad having just turned 20 at the start of 2012, Claesson would score in a 5-0 win over Qatar in his first start, but dropped immediately back into the U21s.

Visit Viktor Claesson's player profile for full stats and match history

He’s registered just six international caps since that initial call, all of which have come in friendlies, but finds himself presented with the chance to make his first competitive appearance in the coming days. Recalled to the side by new boss Jan Andersson for the upcoming qualifiers with Luxembourg and Bulgaria, he’s keen to ensure that he doesn’t slip out of the manager’s thinking this time around.

“I have spoken to Jan Andersson. I got a spot in the squad to the World Cup qualification match against the Netherlands in September after another midfielder was injured in the build up and I hope if I continue to play well I will get more chances later on too.” Whilst stating that he wasn’t disappointed to be overlooked for Euro 2016 as it was something he hadn’t expected, Claesson’s international intentions remain clear. “It is certainly still my ambition to one day to represent Sweden in a major tournament.”

However, whilst his current season form has earned the highest WhoScored.com rating in the Allsvenskan, with a superb score of 7.74, the Elfsborg man knows that he still has plenty to work on. “I would like to improve my weak foot, the left one, and feel more confident with taking shots and finishing with it. Today my right foot is way better. My offensive heading is another part I would like to improve beause I am pretty tall and imposing so I could be better in the air then I am today.”

It seems clear that if Claesson can make the most of his physical attributes that he has the ability to play at a higher level, and one league in particular certainly appeals to the ever-improving midfielder. “My next goal, beside the national team ambitions, is of course to take the step to a better league with better players”, he confirmed. “I have seen a lot of football from the Premier League and I really like the fans there. It would be fun to play there one day.”

Claesson is reluctant to compare himself to any players from the continent, again preferring others to assess his skills rather than try to sing his own praises, but continues, “I like midfielders who can contribute at both ends of the pitch. As a team you can "spare" at least one position if you have players that can both attack and defend. Of course, though, you need to have players for specific roles as well and players with different qualities on the pitch in a team.”

Such answers spoke of a player with a good understanding of the game and a desire to improve with every day and training session. A mature head on young shoulders, if Claesson continues to progress at his current rate his ambitions of making a place in the national side his own and earn a move to one of Europe’s top leagues are undoubtedly realistic. For the time being a strong end to a difficult season for Elfsborg remains the focus.

Is Claesson ready to make the step up to a bigger league in Europe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below