ANALYSING: THE STORY BEHIND MAN IN FORM VIKTOR GYOKERES
COVENTRY CITY | STRIKER, SWEDEN, 23
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BACKGROUND:
He's the talk of the Championship right now, but what's the story behind Viktor Gyökeres' rise from IF Brommapojkarna's production line in the superettan, to be up there in the goal-scoring charts for Coventry City in the SkyBet Championship, England's second highest division.
Gyökeres began his career in northern Europe in his native Sweden.
Breaking through the IF Brommapojkarna youth system after being a consistent Goal scorer at youth level netting 20 goals in 21 U19 Allsvenskan Norra matches.
Brommapojkarana have gained a reputation through producing players from their academy penned as one of the biggest in the country. Ludgwig Augustinsson (Sevilla - Spain), Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus - Italy), Albin Ekdal (Sampdoria - Italy) and Carl Starfeldt (Celtic - Scotland) are examples of the career progression that has been made possible through being part and developing through the Bromma Boys Academy.
Dejan Kulusevski in action for Juventus ()
Viktor broke into the first-team setup at IFK in 2015 scoring 20 times in 56 appearances - 13 in his final season. Whilst majoritly operating as a striker he played quite a lot on the left hand side of a front three, cutting in from his stronger right foot where he would create goalscoring opportunities whether that be goals or assists.
(insert video here, showing some of his goals)
During that time he also became a pivotal part of Sweden's U19 team that competed in UEFA U19 Championship's in Georgia in 2017. Whilst they ended the tournament bottom of their respective group, Gyökeres caught eyes becoming the joint top-goalscorer with 3 goals, (alongside England stars Ben Brerton, Ryan Sessegnon who helped England become the eventual winners, with his goals coming in a defeat to Czech Republic, Georgia and a draw with Portugal.
His impressive form at both youth and club level lead to Brighton Hove Albion becoming interested and later signed him in January 2018 originally joining up with their U23 side where he managed 7 goals and 3 assists in 19 Premier League 2. For the 19/20 season he spent a season-long loan at FC St Pauli in 2. Bundesliga, which would allow him to experience consistent men's football within a team that have developed an interesting relationship with his parent club Brighton Hove Albion. Later joined by Fellow U23 defender, Leo Ostigaard who joined week apart.
With appearances limited at Brighton, Viktor joined newly promoted Championship Side on a 6 month -long loan from January 15th, making his debut 4 days later against in defeat to Reading, with his first goal coming in a 2-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday. After 3 in 19 appearances he joined them permanently this summer on a three-year deal. With 9 goals in the first 11 games this season.
Viktor Gyokeres in action for FC St Pauli
STYLE OF PLAY
Viktor Gyökeres has adapted rather effectively to more of a poacher's role, getting on the end of chances in the penalty box, whether that's
well taken finishes or getting ahead of defender by using his physicality and connecting with the ball. 8 of his 9 goals have come from inside the box. However, in a goal-against Cardiff City, he showed his qualities as a willing runner and eye for goal, receiving the ball just after the centre-circle driving towards goal before firing low beyond Cardiff keeper Dillion Phillips. A goal against Middlesbrough follows in suit also receiving the ball in a similar area before, out muscling the opposition defender, going round the goalkeeper and finishing in an empty net.
Having that kind of weapon in your arsenal, where playing in a front-two gives the option to act as a runner and supplier, or more a poacher or presser in possession and attack.
Gyökeres boasts a goal conversion rate of 31% ranking him 2nd in the league, and a shot accuracy rate of 71% ranking him top. If Coventry keep him firing they are going to have a strong chance in finishing high up the league, in many cases he's integral to their success.
