Published 2024-10-26 19.41
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UP SALE. Kim Hellberg claims that Shaquille Pinas is the Allsvenskan‘s best defender.
Then the left back counters with even finer praise.
– He can become one of the world’s best coaches, says Pinas after 3-0 against Sirius.
Shaquille Pinas, Tesfaldet Tekie and Pavle Vagic. Few believed that anyone in the more or less doomed trio would play particularly large roles for Hammarby in 2024. Kim Hellberg wanted otherwise and under the coach, all have become key players in the top team Bajen.
After the victory against Sirius, he praised everyone, but handed out extra warm words to the capable left back Shaquille Pinas.
– Overall, he is the best defender in the entire Allsvenskan. In all teams. “Shaq” has played at an extremely high level and contributes both in the game and with very many points. In addition, he has helped Bazoumana Touré a lot as well.
“Want him to play in Bajen for the rest of his life”
Pinas was in pain in the second half against Sirius. Nevertheless, Hellberg waited with a change.
– You never want to take him out, even though he has difficulty running. There is such enormous potential and quality within him.
The only one Hellberg thought challenged Pinas was Malmö’s powerful centre-back Derek Cornelius, who left the Allsvenskan for French Marseille last summer.
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full screen Kim Hellberg. Photo: Tobias Sterner / Bildbyrån
Pina’s contract expires in December 2025.
– I like him very much. I hope he can play in Hammarby for the rest of his life. But we’ll see what happens. In any case, he still has a contract next year, so I’m doing everything I can so that he at least doesn’t disappear earlier than that, says Hellberg.
Does he stay in Bajen?
The 26-year-old lit up when he heard his coach’s strong words.
– All our defenders have fine qualities. But if he thinks I’m the best defender, I say: Thanks, Kim, but then you’re the best coach. In any case, it goes without saying, in my opinion!
Pinas then gave a shorter speech in which he told how much Hellberg meant to him and how it strengthened the player’s self-confidence.
– Then you want to give back, says Pinas.
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fullscreenShaquille Pinas. Photo: Tobias Sterner / Bildbyrån
The left-back has a good laugh when he hears about Hellberg’s wishes for a lifetime contract in Bajen.
– Haha. I don’t know that. I am happy here. The supporters and the coach have given me a lot. But it’s hard to know. You always have things you want in life.
– I am happy about what we achieved in Hammarby. We will show the same quality in the future. If I stay here I will be happy. If there is a club that means the next step, I will also be happy. If you play like I have done in every match, of course there will be clubs. But now I focus on Hammarby. The winter break in Sweden is long, so there are two months to think about.
“We want to die for Kim”
Then Pinas went on with another thunderous tribute to Hellberg.
What do you like the most?
– His honesty. That is most important. Tactics are important, but if you are not a good person, no one will want to die for you on the pitch. But if you are honest and a good person, you will want to die for the coach. And we want to die for Kim on the pitch, says Pinas and concludes:
– He can become one of the best coaches in the world. I’m not kidding. He is capable of it. You all saw what he did with Värnamo and what is happening here in Hammarby. Apart from Malmö, we are the best team in the Allsvenskan, I think.
