Tomas Brolin
(Leeds, Crystal Palace 1995-98)

What he achieved: Scored against Brazil in the World Cup at the age of 20 and two years later knocked England out of Euro 92 almost single-handedly.

A huge hit with Parma until knee injuries started to affect his game, Brolin was on the downward spiral when he came to England although he did play in the 1996 League Cup Final for Leeds United. He later joined forces with Attilio Lombardo to become unlikely joint-caretaker managers of Crystal Palace

Current situation: Still only 34, Brolin is proving an astute businessman. He owns a buzzing Stockholm restaurant called Undici – meaning 11 in Italian, the shirt he famously wore for Parma. And part-owns a property firm with his father.

"He comes into the restaurant sometimes but he’s a very busy man so it’s not every night," says the manager of Undici.

Jesper Blomqvist
(Manchester United, Everton, Charlton 1998-2003)

What he achieved: Blomqvist caught the eye of Alex Ferguson when he starred in the Gothenburg side that beat Manchester United in the Champions League.

He ended up at Old Trafford and famously played on the left in the 1999 Champions League final win against Bayern Munich with Ryan Giggs switching to the right.

A persistent knee injury wrecked his United career and he failed to win a first-team spot at Charlton last season.

Current situation: Blomqvist is still fighting hard to save his career. He underwent another knee operation this winter and spent a month recuperating with a specialist in Croatia. He returned to Sweden this week and hopes to return to his club Djurgardens in June (Swedish season runs April-November).

"He played a few times last season but found he couldn’t train. So he’s had another op, Jesper says he would rather wait until his knee is perfect than carry on at 80%," says a Djurgardens official.

Roland Nilsson
(Sheffield Wednesday 1989-94 and Coventry 1997-99, 2001-02)

What he achieved: Won 94 caps for Sweden and described by Ron Atkinson as "the best professional he ever worked with". Nilsson’s most successful years came at Wednesday, he helped them beat Man Utd to win the 1991 League Cup under Big Ron.

Two years later he was part of The Owls side beaten in two cup finals by Arsenal. He rejoined Atkinson at Coventry and was manager in the 2001-02 season although he and assistant Jim Smith got the sack.

Current situation: The 41-year-old Nilsson is trying to forge a coaching career with Gothenburg’s second club, the part-time Second Division side GAIS. He has had to make sacrifices, living out of a hotel while his family remain in Helsingborgs. "His wife is due to move to be with him soon which will be a big help," says a friend.

Glen Hysen 
(Liverpool 1989-92)

What he achieved: Hysen won his first trophy under Sven Goran Eriksson with IFK Gothenburg and went onto play in Italy with Fiorentina before joining Liverpool.

He was part of the last Anfield side to win the championship in 1989/90. Many Reds supporters feel Graeme Souness was too hasty in selling him soon after replacing Kenny Dalglish.

Current situation: Hysen lives in Gothenburg and will be at Wednesday’s game against England in his capacity as one of Sweden’s leading football commentators.

He travels the world watching football. "I was in Madrid this week to watch Real v Monaco, then flew straight back for a BBC interview ahead of the England game. It’s a great life," he says.