Nottingham Forest’s Alexander Milosevic lauds Leeds’ Pontus Jansson

Follow us on Google Discover

Nottingham Forest defender Alexander Milosevic suggests being inspired by Leeds United’s Pontus Jansson.

Nottingham Forest defender Alexander Milosevic has told Expressen that he is hoping to emulate Leeds hero Pontus Jansson by doing enough in the Championship to force his way back into the Sweden national team.

Milosevic has impressed since arriving at the City Ground at the start of February. He went on to make 12 league appearances for Martin O’Neill’s men, scoring once in the emphatic 3-0 victory against Middlesbrough.

The 27-year-old has only managed to collect seven caps for his country since making his international debut in 2013, and he missed out on the first squad to be picked following his switch to Forest.

But one player who was initially selected, before withdrawing due to injury, was Jansson, who enjoyed a superb year with Leeds as Marcelo Bielsa’s side came agonisingly close to securing automatic-promotion and then reaching the play-off final.

And Milosevic has suggested that he is hoping to follow in Jansson’s footsteps by using the Championship stage to get himself back into the international fold.

“I think that Ponne has developed a lot as a football player and he has done very well at Leeds. He has also done well in the national team and in the World Cup where he jumped in. It is clear that I see the opportunities to develop in England and get there,” he told Expressen.

“If I do well in Nottingham then I will finally come into the national team, I know. I think the national team have become very good. I have to wait for my chance simply, when there is a suspension or an injury. But when the chance comes I must be ready and not let go of my place.”

Jansson has arguably just enjoyed the best year of his Leeds spell so far. He was fantastic during his first campaign at Elland Road, but perhaps surpassed that level for much of the most recent season.

The large majority of Whites fans will be desperately hoping that he is going to stick around and try and help the club have another go at sealing promotion to the Premier League. If remaining in the Championship does not hurt his chances of remaining in the Sweden picture, perhaps Leeds’ hopes of keeping one of their cult-heroes will improve.