Why Jonas Olsson is a smart signing for Wigan Athletic
According to a report from Sky Sports, Wigan Athletic have snapped up free agent Jonas Olsson on a deal until the end of the season.
The former Sweden international, 35, spent almost nine years with West Brom but returned to his homeland in March 2017. He became a free agent after leaving Djurgardens IF in November.
Wigan Athletic find themselves just seven points above the relegation zone after getting promoted from League One last summer. The Latics are struggling in the Championship, with Paul Cook finding it difficult to get positive results.
After a period of recurrent poor performances and results, it became clear that Wigan needed reinforcements in the January transfer window.
And the board obliged, with Cook signing five players last month, with free agent Jonas Olsson joining Anthony Pilkington, Danny Fox, Leon Clarke and Beni Baningime at the DW Stadium.
Wigan have had defensive problems since the start of the Championship campaign. The Latics have conceded 45 goals so far, which should disappoint Cook, particularly as his team are fighting to stay in the second tier of English football.
Chey Dunkley and Cedric Kipre started the season well but an injury to the former disrupted the growing partnership. Dan Burn has also left Wigan for Brighton last month, leaving Cook really thin as far as the defensive options were concerned.
That’s where the signing of Jonas Olsson makes a lot of sense for the Latics. The Swede is a tough defender, known for his physicality and no-nonsense style of defending.
He has lot pace and agility, which once made him a very strong customer to come up against, but Olsson’s solid experience of playing in England will certainly come handy in Wigan’s survival chase.
The 35-year-old will not only provide valuable experience to the Wigan backline but also add competition and cover for Dunkley and Kipre. He’ll add a bit more aggression and experience that has been lacking in the Wigan backline, and would also be a vocal leader in the dressing room.
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Wigan have been far too exposed at the back, with none of the defenders playing to their potential. Therefore, the signing of Olsson is a masterstroke from Cook as the veteran Swede might help Wigan in their bid for achieving safety in the Championship this season.