Football Season Guide

Hammarby

In


David Ousted (gk) Chicago Fire; Paulinho (att) Hapoel Beer Sheva; Gustav Ludwigson (att) Orgryte; Abdul Khalili (mid) free agent; Jean Carlos (def) Frej – end of loan; Andre Alsanati (mid) Frej – end of loan;

Out


Johan Wiland (r) (gk) end of career; Nikola Djurdjic (r) (att) Better City (CHN); Mats Solheim (sp) (def) Stabaek; Marcus Degerlund (def) Jonkopings; Leo Bengtsson (mid) Hacken; Hjalmar Ekdal (def) Sirius – on loan; Oscar Krusnell (def) Frej – on loan; Filston Mawana (mid) Frej – on loan; Abdul-Halik Hudu (mid) Frej – on loan; Loue Bayere Junior (att) Frej – on loan;

Despite having the best home record in 2019 and by far the strongest attack in the league Hammarby finished only 3rd, albite just 1 point behind the champions. This was mainly due to the shaky defending and the inability to win enough matches on the road. In the off season 2 important players left – long-serving goalkeeper Wiland retired, while top scorer Djurdjic moved to China. They were both well replaced though with Dane Ousted brought from the MLS to be the new starter between the posts and the 2018 Allsvenskan Golden Boot winner and Hacken’s all-time top goalscorer Paulinho arriving to fill the void in attack. Darijan Bojanic had breakthrough campaign in 2019 and he will be even more important this term, with Hammarby set to continue playing open expansive football which sees the inner midfielders allowed to join the attacks constantly. Undoubtedly the attack will be major strength again, with the home form also expected to remain very good with or without fans. Main weakness once again is expected to be the defending, although centre-back Magyar was solid in the second half of 2019 after joining midway through the season and, if he stays fit, the back line could be doing better.

Target


After being so close to the title last season Hammarby are hungry for silverware and they will be serious contender for first place. Even if unable to triumph another top 3 finish likely again.