Elias Pihlström (2006) is a right-footed left winger who currently plays for Degerfors IF, recently promoted to the Swedish Allsvenskan. Signed in 2023 from Adolfsbergs IK—where he made his senior debut in Division 3 (the fifth tier of Swedish football) at just 17—Pihlström has had a successful first season in professional football, featuring in 26 league matches and starting 10 of them.
Standing tall at 1.87m with an ectomorphic build, Pihlström’s main threat lies in his acceleration and top speed, allowing him to frequently outrun opponents in 1v1 situations. While he lacks the physical power to dominate duels, this is an area he could improve with extra gym work. Despite this, his reaction speed and agility give him a dynamism in his movements that few players in the Superettan can match.
Pihlström plays as an inverted winger on the left side, showcasing an aggressive and attacking mindset. Degerfors IF typically employs a 3-4-1-2 formation during offensive transitions, which creates ample space for Pihlström to exploit. He is supported by the mobility of attacking midfielder Kevin Holmén and the two strikers. His ball control is exceptional, standing out as elite compared to other wingers in the league.
Pihlström often drops deep to receive the ball near the halfway line, initiating diagonal runs that frequently conclude in the ‘Zone 14’ area on the edge of the box. When cutting outside, he looks to step into the penalty area, opting for either a cut-back pass or a floated cross. While both approaches generate significant danger, his decision-making and execution are currently sharper from wide positions. He actively seeks shooting opportunities but needs to improve his timing and accuracy, particularly as he prepares for a potential step up in competition.Where Pihlström truly excels is in his passing and crossing in the final third, which is surprising given his relative inexperience at this level. However, under pressure, he occasionally prefers to dribble when switching play to the opposite flank could relieve pressure more effectively. Enhancing his vision in these moments could elevate his impact further.
Defensively, there is room for growth. Pihlström actively participates in defensive actions and shows determination to regain possession but struggles to do so effectively. Despite his height, his aerial timing is inconsistent, leading to lost duels even when he has a physical advantage. Developing greater aggressiveness and refining his defensive technique would help him become more effective in both aerial and ground challenges.
Overall, Pihlström displays several traits which could take him to a higher level. His technicality on the ball is very high for a player coming from low leagues. He would benefit from using more both feet in his actions aside from the aspects previously mentioned in the second paragraph. However, his lack of effectiveness on the ball needs to be corrected before he makes a move to a higher category. A full season in the Allsvenskan, with its higher intensity and demands, would be an ideal environment for him to refine these aspects.
If given the freedom to create in an offensively-oriented system, Pihlström has the ability to directly influence matches at a higher level. With consistent playing time, he could develop into a player capable of competing in leagues like the Eredivisie within 2–3 years.
Target Scouting 