AGONA Scouting Report: Who is New PAOK Midfielder Pontus Wernbloom
PAOK have signed Swedish veteran midfielder Pontus Wernbloom on a three-year contract for an estimated €1.1 million per year. AGONAsport takes a look at his career up to date and what PAOK fans can look forward to over the next three seasons.
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Playing Style
32-year-old Pontus Wernbloom is an aggressive defensive midfielder, who has the ability to up the pitch and get involved in forward attacks. He is very good when the ball is in their air and has the ability to play out using his feet. He will prove to be a valuable asset ahead of the upcoming Greek Super League season and will give PAOK manager Razvan Lucescu the flexibility and depth that he requires to make another run at the league title as well as doing damage on the European stage.
First professional contract at IFK Goteborg
After playing at his local club Herrljunga SK, Wernbloom joined the youth team at IFK Göteborg in 2004, before he was promoted to the senior squad in 2005. He made a name for himself early on at the club, with his aggressive tackles, leadership, and never give up attitude. In 2005, a spot opened up for him which he was able to take, securing a place in the starting eleven due to the retirement of Hakan Mild. However, the following season saw him struggle to hold his spot in the team as the club changed its style under a new manager.
Once striker Marcus Berg left the club in the summer of 2007, Wernbloom was given more playing time playing in a more advanced role higher up the pitch finally playing regular football again. During his four years in the senior team, Wernbloom played 92 games for the club and scored an impressive 26 goals.
Three-year spell at AZ Alkmaar
In 2009, he signed a deal with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. His highlight during his three year stay at the club was scoring a goal in each of his club’s playoff round legs against FC Aktobe, helping his side secure a spot in the group stages of the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League. Throughout his time in the Netherlands, he made 67 appearances for AZ Alkmaar scoring on 7 occasions.
Successful six years at Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow
In the 2012 January transfer window, Wernbloom departed AZ Alkmaar and signed a long-term deal with Russian side CSKA Moscow. All did not go to plan throughout his time in Russia, especially early on where he was plagued by injuries, but recovered from a tough start to his career in Russia. Apart from winning three league titles throughout his time at the club, a highlight for him was when he scored a half-volley goal in the late stages of the UEFA Champions League knockout stages against European powerhouse Real Madrid to equalise the match at 1-1.
He had a successfully spell playing for the Russian side, where he managed to make 167 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals. He became one of the fan favourites for CSKA Moscow because of his fearless attitude and playing style. After the final game of the 2017–18 season, CSKA Moscow announced that Wernbloom would depart the club at the end of the season due to family reasons.
International career for Sweden
At the international level, Wernbloom successfully represented Sweden from 2007 until 2016. He made 51 appearances for his country across the 9-year period, scoring on 2 occasions.
