It's alright - Larsson is back

Lasse Lagerbäck today announced the squad for next week's friendly against the Czech Republic.

Goalkeepers:
Eddie Gustafsson, Ham-Kam Fotball
Andreas Isaksson, Stade Rennais FC

Defenders:
Christoffer Andersson, Lillestrøm SK
Erik Edman, Tottenham Hotspur FC
Petter Hansson, SC Heerenveen
Teddy Lucic, BK Häcken
Olof Mellberg, Aston Villa FC
Alexander Östlund, Feyenoord

Midfielders/forwards
Niclas Alexandersson, IFK Göteborg
Marcus Allbäck, FC København
Daniel Andersson, Malmö FF
Johan Elmander, Brøndby IF
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Juventus FC
Mattias Jonson, Djurgårdens IF
Kim Källström, Stade Rennais FC
Henrik Larsson, FC Barcelona
Tobias Linderoth, FC København
Fredrik Ljungberg, Arsenal FC
Markus Rosenberg, AFC Ajax
Christian Wilhelmsson, RSC Anderlecht

According to the media and Lagerbäck there were no surprises. Really? There are no less than six forwards in the squad competing for two places. With Anders Svensson out injured I suspect they will give Källström yet another go at the other central midfield spot in front of Linderoth. I doubt he will make it defensively against the quick precise passing of the Czechs. I think they went eenie-meenie-minie-moe over whether to call Rosenberg or Fredrik Berglund. Rosenberg unproven but with higher status (and greater potential) in Ajax - yet Berglund continues to score and score in Denmark. Barring any injuries this is how I believe Lagerbäck wants to start on Wednesday:

Isaksson
Östlundh-Mellberg-Lucic-Edman
Linderoth
Wilhelmson-Källström-Ljungberg
Larsson-Ibrahimovic

Four-five years ago we had six or seven really good central defenders so we used them at both wing backs and Johan Mjällby played central midfielder. Now we have Mellberg and the enigma wrapped in a conundrum Teddy Lucic who looks world-class against Argentina and division three against division three opposition. Petter Hansson is a decent sub but no starter. Here's hoping Andy Jakobsson opens the door again. Instead we put our hope and faith in two forwards and a midfielder. Ibrahimovic, Larsson and Ljungberg create problems for any defense. I would be surprised if Andreas Isaksson doesn't play in a Big Team next season. He is sensational.