Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen, out on loan at West Brom, was one of the standout players for Fulham in their bid to achieve promotion to the Premier League, scoring eight goals and registering nine assists in the Championship.
However, the Norway international has seen his importance being reduced this term as he has started only in four league matches for the Cottagers, while has eight more appearances to his name from the bench.
The 28-year-old struggled for minutes under Slaviša Jokanovic and his successor Claudio Ranieri, which is why he wanted to leave Craven Cottage in the mid-season transfer window.
Johansen has revealed details about the conversation he had with the Ranieri, which convinced him to join West Bromwich Albion on loan until the end of the season.
“He said he wanted me, but couldn’t promise me the game time I wanted. I said I have a career and development to think about, not least a national team that is important to me.
Then it’s about playing time,” the midfielder explained. “I felt I got even less confidence (when Ranieri was hired by Fulham).
Then enough was enough. In such a situation, I had to think about my own career.
He understood it very well. There was no fight.
” Now it remains to be seen what will be the next step when the loan agreement with West Brom expires in May.
The contract with Fulham finishes anyway in the summer, but one thing is clear at least. Johansen does not want to sit on the bench. It will be at the expense of national team play and self-esteem.
Johansen has now been picked up for Norway’s squad to face Spain and Sweden in the European Championship.
