Well, the news is out. After four years Linköpings FC record striker is leaving the club.
I earlier had hoped there would be some chance of an extension but the more time that passed, the more the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place.
- Highest goalscorer in the clubs history
Ended as Damallsvenskan champions
Almost certainly likely to be voted player of the year for a second year running
Qualification for the European Championship as national captain
Overall record of 70 goals in 87 games. What more could Pernille do?
Yes, there was Champions League football, but she has nothing more to give to Linköping in my eyes. She has given us everything that there could be to give.
I had the feeling it would be Wolfsburg from last season. It makes an overall sense to move there. They are an excellent team, for me still the strongest in Europe and Pernille deserves to be playing at the highest level.
Much like the Fischer transfer to Wolfsburg, they will be getting a world class player. I hope that any transfer fee is used to the best effect for the club. It’s not a hidden secret that money is needed to be moved to the club. But we cannot simply lose a striker.
When I look around, there are some strikers that I think would be a suitable replacement. Yes, Martin is a genius when it comes to youth, but we need an immediate replacement.
The most important thing is that Stina Blackstenius stays. Pernille’s record is untouchable in my opinion, but if there is one player that can break it it’s Stina. She has had an even bigger season with the experience in the Olympics, and at her young age she can be the vital player for the next 3-4 years at Linköping, just at Pernille has been since 2012.
The player I would like Linköping to get would be Sofie Jakobsson. Currently, at Montpelier, she has netted 17 goals in 24 games since her move from Chelsea. I am sure she is still under contract at Montpelier, but it would be a quality signing. She is an established national player, and with the agile playmaker, it would be perfect feed to Blackstenius up front.
Martin needs to replace Pernille, the only player who can step right into her boots is Kim Little, but she’s signed for Arsenal. So I would like to say, again, thanks to Pernille for everything. Now how about Jakobsson?!
