Loanees or players on trial in other teams are not included below.
VICENTE PONNERT HIDALGO16, centre-back
Large defender who was called up during the A team’s training camp in Spain when Jens Styger left injured. Then got to jump into the training match against Sparta Prague and sat on the bench in the Europa League matches against Röda Stjärnan and Genk.
Ponnert Hidalgo is the team captain of the U17 national team, for which he has already made 17 appearances.
The P19 team’s assistant coach Olof Persson, who has defensive responsibility, comments:
– It’s extra fun for me, because there aren’t that many people who put the defensive parts first, who prioritize them. It’s really fun and he’s a natural leader, who no matter which team he’s in takes the lead. He tells the others, helps, communicates in a damn good way, he says and continues:
– Then there is a really good defensive player. Good at blocking shots, nodding away, winning duels – all that.
VICTOR THORELLI17, centre-back
Recruited in the summer of 2024 from Belgium, where he was brought up in Gent and Brussels club RWD Molenbeek. Thorelli has Belgian and Spanish caps but has seven U17 caps. He was retrained from defensive midfielder to centre-back, and played with both the P17 and P19 teams last year.
– Good with the ball and good at bringing it forward offensively. Great passer but needs to work a lot with his defensive game; judgement, how aggressive you can be, how close you should be to your opponent. We have worked a lot on it. But he is strong and cool, he has the kind of qualities that can be used internationally, I must say.
– He is fast and good at reading the game, probably because he was an inside midfielder before, but obviously needs to work on his center back game to become a really good center back. By that, I mean defending crosses, positioning yourself in the penalty area for tackles and deep balls. But great, great potential, continues Olof Persson.
JAMES POLICARPIO17, midfielder
Started 14 of 25 league games last year despite being just 16 when the season began. Persson likens the ability to dictate tempo to that of former MFF star Sergio Peña. But just like the Peruvian, Policarpio needs to score more points.
– You shouldn’t compare too much. But I think he’s at his absolute best when he gets to dictate the conditions in and around the offensive penalty area, where he’s witty and either plays one-touch or finds players to set up in situations. Pretty good at getting yourself (forward) in situations.
TARIK KARIC, 18, striker
Was the U19 team’s top scorer last season, with 13 goals in 24 games. According to The evening paper Karić will be promoted to the A team this year.
– He has become enormously strong in the reverse game. A super important player for us there and an incredibly good player defensively in starting the pressure for a team. Then offensively, he is a goalscorer. He is often on the spot and creates chances, and space for others, with his hunger. If he plays with us all year, it is quite likely that he will win the shooting league.
YASSIN MOHAMMED18, striker
Trialed with the U19 team after being spotted by Chief Scout Jeffrey Aubynn in Ghana. Last summer, MFF signed an agreement with Mohammed, who scored seven goals in eleven games. Since arriving in Malmö, he has also trained with the A team.
– A real raw material in depth, in strength. Physics like few. It’s at senior level already and a bit more I think. In order for him to become like Tarik, but at the next level, he needs to hone his finishing, says Persson and continues:
– That he finds a little more calm when he gets into situations, and doesn’t have to shoot the goalkeeper into the goal every time, but finds the sides of the goalkeeper and gets fluency in it. Because when he finds momentum and plays at a high minimum level, he becomes a senior player to be reckoned with.
ISRAEL ANUM18, centre-back
Recruited in 2024 from Right to Dream in Ghana, but had to wait until last year to start playing for MFF. Just like compatriot Mohammed, Anum has trained with the A team for periods.
– It’s a personal favorite. An incredibly lovely person who has acclimatised in this gang from day one. Spreads good energy.
– He is very curious, wants to learn a lot. I’ve sat with him for many, many hours talking about defensive plays and priorities. If he gets it right, he has stand-out qualities physically. He is fast as hell, aggressive and resilient.
According to Olof Persson, Anum did not receive any real training in the lower defensive game before arriving in Malmö.
– If he gets those things in place, it will be a hundred percent export, I think, concludes the MFF coach.
