If anyone missed it, up until the 2025/26 season, QPR had only ever had one Swedish player: Robert Steiner (who had previously played for IFK Norrkoping and Bradford City).
But on deadline day last summer, the club signed Isak Alemayehu from Djurgarden.
Isak impressed so much in the U21’s that by the winter he started making the bench, and many of us were crossing our fingers for the second Swede in the hoops.
Unfortunately, he didn’t get any substitute appearances then, but in the very last match of the season, away against Ipswich, he finally made his debut with about ten minutes of normal time left.
When me and Isak – who’s back home in Sweden after the end of the season – started our video call, the first thing I noticed was that he was wearing a Swedish Football Association training jacket. It tuned out that he was coming straight from a training session.
When I asked him if he’d been training with Djurgarden or on his own, he said it was the latter.
After an opening of, “Thanks so much for taking the time”, we jumped into my short list of questions:
MW: Did you know about the Swedish Hoops before this interview?
IA: My dad mentioned you guys, and I’ve seen quite a few Swedish flags at Loftus Road.
MW: Yeah, we’ve got a few members who travel over quite regularly and proudly wave the Swedish flags. There are a few hundred of us who’ve been hoping we’d soon get to see the second Swede in the shirt.
IA: Good thing it came in the last game – it was really nice. Something I’d been looking forward to all season and worked hard for, so it was an honour to come on.
MW: You were on the bench a fair bit in January-February. Did you feel like the debut was close back then?
IA: I did everything I could in training, always giving my best for when the chance came. That’s what I’ve done all year, I’d say. At the end of the day it’s the manager’s decision, and he gave me the chance in the last game. It was fun to get on. I also felt that I did pretty well. It was a really tough match situation, but it was a great honour.
MW: I get that. I actually went back and watched your minutes against Ipswich before this interview. You came on as a defensive midfielder, replacing Kieran Morgan. Is that your natural role?
IA: I’d say my best position is as an ‘8’. That’s where I’m at my best, but I have no problem playing anywhere in midfield. I’m very comfortable there.
MW: More of a box-to-box player then?
IA: Yeah, box-to-box I’d say. I like running a lot and being involved in the game.
MW: You said yourself that it was a special match situation when you came on, but my feeling was that you really took charge in those few minutes – pointing and showing clearly where you wanted the ball. It looked like a very mature style of play. Is that how you see yourself?
IA: Yeah, 100% agree. Throughout my career I’ve been a very brave player and I never back down, no matter the match, or the situation. I always want to be involved and help the team with my qualities. I’d say that’s one of my biggest strengths – in the build-up phase and in the final third where I can take players on.
I have a pretty high self-confidence, so for me it was just about going out there in those ten minutes and showing what I can do. Giving the fans and the manager a glimpse of me.
MW: I read an interview you did with Fotbollskanalen (Swedish football website) before the season, where you said that you were aiming for some first team minutes. How do you feel it went, and what targets had the manager set for you?
IA: I feel like this year has been verry educational. A very special first year in England with so many matches – I don’t think I’ve ever played this many games in my life. It’s been really good for me and my development. Of course, my ambition is to play more for the first team and establish myself there, but I’m really proud of my season with the U21’s.
Sometimes I feel like I could and should have had some more first team games, but that’s football for you. Everyone is eager to play and show what they can do. Still, I’m very happy with my season and I’m hoping to come back strong for pre-season.
I came in quite late – on deadline day – so the others had a head start on me. I didn’t really have the same relationship with the manager as the rest. Now with a new season and a fresh start, we’re all competing on equal terms. It feels really exciting for next season – I get so much energy just talking about it.
MW: You can tell, you look hungry.
IA: Yeah, 100%! Obviously, I hoped to play a bit more first team football, but it’s been a valuable first year.
MW: Do you feel you’ve developed anything specific this year, or that the coaching staff wanted to work on something in particular with you?
IA: Yes, definitely. England and especially the Championship is a very physical league, so we’ve worked a lot individually on building my body and adding muscle. My pace in particular has gone up from when I was at Djurgarden. I’ve had a lot of really good coaches working with me one-on-one.
MW: Going back to before Deadline Day – what was your relationship with QPR like then?
IA: I’ve always looked up to Adel Taarabt. When I was younger I used to watch his highlights a lot and loved the way he played. I tried to copy some of the things he did. To be honest, I also knew them from FIFA. But I knew who QPR were, about Loftus Road, and that it’s a big club.
When I talk to my mates, everyone knows QPR and they were really proud of me for going there. So, it was a big deal for me and everyone around me.
MW: Speaking of people around you, what’s life like off the pitch? I read that you hang out with Jonah Kusi-Asare (a Swedish player at Fulham, who was on loan from FC Bayern). Have you made more friends in the squad?
IA: Yeah, I have. QPR is a really good group, both in the first team and the U21’s. There are loads of cool lads I’ve hung out with outside of football.
MW: Does the club organise stuff off the pitch, or do you have to arrange things yourself?
IA: The club arranged something after the season and one thing in the winter, but otherwise you have to message people yourself if you want to do something.
MW: Lots of FIFA?
IA: Yeah, haha, lots of FIFA and watching the TV series.
MW: When you’re new in the team, you used to have to sing in front of everyone. Did you have to do that?
IA: Yeah, I had to sing when we played West Ham away.
MW: What did you sing?
IA: Mario – ‘Let Me Love You’.
MW: Did you get applause or boos?
IA: Everyone seemed happy.
MW: Compared to the others who made their debuts last winter, did you sing better or worse?
IA: People told me I was better!
MW: So, you’ll be the one singing after promotion next year?
IA: Haha, yeah.
MW: Have you got a car yet?
IA: No, not yet, but I’ve been driving here. Damn, it was hard at first, but you get used to it. In the beginning I was only doing 20mph, but now it feels good.
MW: I read that you were living close to the training ground. Are you still?
IA: I’m still close, about 25 minutes by car, but I recently moved into “family digs”. They work for the club, they look after me and cook food. The conditions are fantastic! Before when I lived on my own and it was only a 10-minute drive.
MW: So, the club have helped you with accommodation the whole time?
IA: When I lived alone, I sorted it myself, but this time the club arranged it.
MW: You just came from a training session. Are you getting any time off during the break, or has the club given you individual programmes?
IA: No time off. The club has given all of us individual plans.
MW: I asked some of our members before the interview if they had any questions, and one was whether you miss anything from Sweden?
IA: Well, I miss my family and friends, but I really enjoy being in London and England. My family comes over now and then, so it’s not really homesickness.
MW: You’ve only just made your debut, but I’m curious to know how the squad handles comments on social media? It can get pretty toxic, with people saying how bad everyone is etc. Does the club have any guidelines on that?
IA: Yeah, we’re told by the club to avoid it. But I don’t know how each person handles it. Some like reading it, others block it completely.
MW: I’m about to let you go, but another question I got from a member was if there’s any player in the squad who’s particularly impressed you? Either their current level or someone you think will become really good.
IA: I’d say Nico Madsen and Paul Smyth. But there are many good individuals in the team. In the U21’s I’d say Jaylan Pearman, Kaleb Dyke, Leon Scarlett, Philip Sanyaolu and others in the squad. So, there are a few.
MW: Do you understand what Nico Madsen says?
IA: No, not a word!
MW: Big thanks for taking the time. Maybe we’ll talk again in a year with more first team games under your belt and another successful season.
IA: Thank you!
Martin Wallfors
(Well done to Martin for an excellent interview. Thanks to Peter Lungstrom for sending it on to me after getting it translated. And to Isak of course, good luck to him for the coming season)
Steve Russell