SWANSEA CITY v WEST BROMWICH ALBIONadmits.
“I was close to getting to the World
Cup in Brazil, but it just feels great to
have another big tournament under
my belt.
“Playing in big tournaments is
something you always dream of when
you’re younger. It’s a dream come true
for most footballers and something
that I’m really happy to be a part of.
“It would mean a lot to feature, not
just to me but also to my family and
friends. They know how much I’ve
wanted to play at the World Cup.
“For them to see me there and
hopefully start would make them
proud.”
Despite sending the four-time world
champions packing, it is fair to say
that Sweden’s task will not be any
easier in Russia, as they have been
drawn in Group F alongside reigning
champions Germany, as well as
Mexico and South Korea.
However, despite being placed in one
of the more difficult groups, Olsson
insists that confidence in the Swedish
camp is high, especially given their
recent exploits.
“We’re not going to fear anyone, we’re
going to enjoy ourselves and give it
our all,” he says.
“It’s going to be a great experience
and we always bring a very good
crowd, so it’s going to be a great
summer for everyone involved.
“Anything is possible but, as long as
we can come away knowing we gave
100 per cent, I think we’ll be happy
with that.”
But before any of that, the 29-year-old
is focusing on his efforts at club level,
and helping turn around the fortunes
of the Swans.
Paul Clement’s side are currently
bottom of the Premier League
following a difficult run of form that
has brought just one point from a
possible 21.
Olsson has suffered relegation from
the English top flight before but,
having been one of the Swans’
standout performers towards the back
end of last season as they pulled off agreat escape, is confident that
experience will serve him and his
team-mates well this term.
“There are 11 players on the pitch and
everyone must give it their all,” he
explains.
“I can see a strong squad of players
here and they all want to give 100 per
cent, which will give us a great chance
of staying up.
“We can improve and create a bit
more going forward, but it will come.
We showed that last season.
“Yes, we haven’t got the results we
wanted, but these players don’t slack.
They all work hard and I think that will
serve us well and the fans will get
behind us.”
Olsson has missed just two league
games this season – both of which
came after sustaining a hamstring
injury against Manchester United in
the Carabao Cup in October.
Nevertheless, he made a swift return
to the first-team fold within two weeks
of limping off at the Liberty and is
thankful for being able to do so.
“I was feeling good at that time. I was
sharp and getting forward a lot, so it
was very disappointing” he recalls.
“But I’ve come back and been playing
a lot better, so I can take a lot of
positives from that.
“I thought I’d be out for a bit longer,
but only missed seven to 10 days. My
hamstring feels good and I feel
stronger and stronger every day.
“The backroom staff work hard and
give us everything we need to get
back on the pitch as soon as possible.
They take care of us really well and we
have to thank them.”
Olsson is not the only footballer in the
family, with twin brother Marcus
currently plying his trade with
Championship side Derby County.
Having grown up playing on the
streets back in Sweden, the brothers
spent time together at Blackburn
Rovers before going their separate
ways.
And Olsson believes they spurred
each other on back home and thatMARTIN’S TWIN BROTHER MARCUS
IN ACTION FOR DERBY COUNTY