How Viktor Gyökeres Went from Championship Struggles to Europe’s Elite
Viktor Gyökeres has pulled off one of the most remarkable transformations in modern football, going from a struggling Championship player to one of Europe’s most in-form strikers in just three years. The Sporting CP forward has outscored Manchester City’s Erling Haaland this season, continuing a blistering run of form that has Premier League clubs and other European giants circling for his signature. At 26 years old, Gyökeres is now a hot commodity, with a big-money transfer in January or next summer looking almost inevitable.
But rewind to January 2021, and the story was very different. Gyökeres was enduring a miserable loan spell at Swansea City, which was cut short as Brighton & Hove Albion deemed him not ready for first-team action. Even those who believed in his potential back then couldn’t have predicted the meteoric rise that would follow.
From Sweden to Stardom
Gyökeres’ journey began in Sweden, where he joined Brommapojkarna at the age of 16. Initially a winger, he worked tirelessly to transition into a center-forward. “Whilst everybody else had normal training, I was training by myself on the other side of the pitch honing something so basic,” Gyökeres said earlier this month. “It was incredibly tough, but it took me to the next level.”
David Eklund, a scout at Brommapojkarna, recalls the early signs of greatness. “We saw that he had the abilities to be a No. 9 with his strength and breakthrough capacity and started to focus on those abilities. He grew a lot and started to produce goals more and more regularly.”
Gyökeres’ final weeks at Brommapojkarna were the stuff of fairy tales. After securing promotion to Sweden’s top tier, he scored a hat trick in his final game, earning a standing ovation from the entire stadium. It was a fitting send-off as he prepared to join Brighton in 2018.
Stumbling Blocks in England
Gyökeres’ move to Brighton seemed like a step forward, but his career stalled. After a decent spell with the under-23s, he was sent on loan to St. Pauli in Germany, where he scored seven goals in 28 games, often playing out wide. A subsequent loan to Swansea City in 2020-21 was a disaster, yielding just one goal in 12 appearances. By January 2021, Gyökeres was at a crossroads.
Coventry City came calling, initially on a six-month loan. Chris Badlan, then Coventry’s head of recruitment, recalls the move: “He was obviously very frustrated with what happened at Swansea. Brighton were looking to get him on a new contract, but we needed a striker straight away. It all married up because he wanted to play, and we needed someone immediately.”
Gyökeres started slowly but returned for the 2021-22 preseason a transformed player. “Viktor’s biggest strength is his mentality,” Badlan says. “When he decides he’s going to do something, he’s the type that will do it. He went away that summer almost as a man on a mission.”
The Coventry Breakthrough
Coventry signed Gyökeres permanently in 2021 for around £1 million. Under manager Mark Robins, Gyökeres was finally molded into an out-and-out No. 9. Robins and assistant manager Adi Viveash worked on simplifying his game and honing his strengths. The results were spectacular: Gyökeres scored 44 goals in 116 games for Coventry, including nine in his first 11 games of the 2021-22 season.
“With Mark Robins and Adi, they polished the rough diamond that he was,” Badlan says. “They simplified his game, worked on his positioning, and helped him understand his body. His mentality is ridiculous.”
Dominating at Sporting CP
In the summer of 2023, Gyökeres joined Sporting CP for €24 million, a move he had carefully planned. “He rang me before the summer and said: I only want to go to Bundesliga, Portugal, Italy, Spain, or Premier League,” Badlan recalls. “He almost had his career mapped out in his mind.”
Gyökeres has been nothing short of sensational at Sporting. In his first season, he scored 43 goals and registered 15 assists. His record now stands at an eye-popping 69 goals in 68 games for the club. Former Portugal international Daniel Carriço credits Sporting’s then-coach Ruben Amorim for unlocking Gyökeres’ potential. “Gyökeres improved not only as a player, but Ruben has a lot of dynamics as a coach. He was the biggest weapon against all the teams,” Carriço says.
What Makes Gyökeres Special?
Gyökeres’ technical evolution has been remarkable. He’s a clinical finisher, capable of scoring from a variety of positions and with both feet. His quick execution in the box, ability to anticipate defenders’ movements, and knack for arriving at the right place at the right time make him a nightmare for opponents. He’s also a threat in transitional play, with the pace and ball-carrying skills to wreak havoc.
Statistically, Gyökeres is a standout. He has outperformed his expected goals (xG) for three straight seasons and ranks in the 94th percentile across Europe for chance creation among forwards. His 4.2 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes and 51 progressive carries this season highlight his all-around game.
What’s Next for Gyökeres?
With a €100 million release clause, Gyökeres’ future is a hot topic. Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all reportedly interested. However, Gyökeres has played down the possibility of a January move, saying, “I want to finish this season at Sporting. I love it here.”
Sporting may accept a lower fee next summer, and clubs like Manchester United could be in pole position, especially given Amorim’s connection to the player. Arsenal and Chelsea are also monitoring the situation closely.
Wherever he ends up, one thing is clear: Viktor Gyökeres has arrived, and Europe’s elite are taking notice.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
