After weeks of speculation, Blackburn Rovers have finally appointed their new manager in the form of Danish coach Jon Dahl Tomasson following the departure of Tony Mowbray at the end of last season.
With an impressive CV that includes two Allsvenskan titles with Swedish giants Malmo and being an assistant manager for the Danish national team, Tomasson is an exciting appointment for the Lancashire side after what was a fantastic campaign last time out.
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Mowbray’s philosophy of playing youngsters with high potential worked well and almost landed Blackburn a play-off spot in the Championship standings, and under Tomasson, Rovers will be looking to get over the finish line this time around with the Danish coach.
Like many Championship sides, though, Blackburn are set for a huge transfer window that could see numerous new faces join the Ewood Park side, and given Tomasson’s immense impact on Scandinavian football over the years, here are five players Rovers could sign this summer.
Mads Roerslev
One of many Danish players to join Brentford over the years, Mads Roerslev made 21 appearances in the Premier League last season as the Bees enjoyed a successful campaign back in the top flight, and for Blackburn, the defender could be an ideal signing.
Right-back is a position that needs some depth, and Tomasson could be able to convince fellow countryman Thomas Frank into loaning the defender to Blackburn for the season, especially if Roerslev is a guaranteed starter with Rovers.
Leo Vaisanen
With rumours that Daniel Ayala could be returning to Spain in the form of Granada, a new centre-back will be welcome at Blackburn this summer, especially with Scott Wharton the only other senior player who can naturally play in the position, and Leo Vaisanen could be perfect for Rovers.
A regular for the Finland national team and a defender who played in Europe last season with Swedish side Elfsborg, Vaisanen could be open to a new challenge in England with Blackburn, especially with the Lancashire side desperate for depth in the centre-back position.
Nikolas Nartey
Central midfield is arguably one of Blackburn’s strongest positions, but with Tomasson favouring a 4-2-3-1 position, depth in the area will be key if Rovers are to fight for promotion next season. Enter VfB Stuttgart talent Nikolas Nartey.
A 22-year-old who spent the majority of last season out on the injury table, the Dane could do with a short-term move to the Championship in an attempt to regain some fitness. And with many players from Germany thriving in the English second-tier, Nartey could be an ideal option for Blackburn under Tomasson.
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson
With Tomasson favouring a 4-2-3-1 formation, quality wingers are key for the system to work, something Blackburn are somewhat lacking in particularly out on the left, which is where Icelandic international Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson could come to the rescue.
An attacker who has played 20 times for the European minnows, Thorsteinsson was once on the books at Fulham before joining Aarhus in 2019, where this summer the attacker will leave as a free agent. For Blackburn, the 23-year-old is a solid option if Tomasson is to flesh out the wings ahead of next season.
Sander Svendsen
With Ben Brereton Diaz stealing the show for most of the Championship last season, keeping the Chilean will be instrumental to Tomasson’s success in the coming months, yet more firepower is something Blackburn can do with this summer, with Sander Svendsen an alluring pick.
An attacker capable of playing in multiple positions in the forward line, Svendsen has the potential to become the next breakout Scandinavian striker in the Championship if Blackburn makes a move for the Norwegian and gives him the platform to succeed, with Tomasson likely keeping tabs already on the Odense BK star.
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