Ibrahimovic gets room to roam as Swedish boss gives star man free role

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be given a licence to roam by Erik Hamren this evening, with the Swedish boss intimating his captain may be able to do some damage if he drops deep.

Ibrahimovic is expected to play as more of a ‘10’ than a ‘nine’, leaving the task of handling him to Paul Green, but fielding questions yesterday afternoon, Hamren said his star man is free to alternate.

“For me, there is too much discussion on whether he is number nine or 10. He’s one of two forwards. If you want, you can say we’re playing 4-4-2 but he is free and allowed to go down and pick up the balls and find some space behind the number nine. But sometimes he becomes the front guy.