Gudjohnsen signs for Barca

[crowie]

Strange move in a way. Doubt he could turn it down but leaving Chelsea, where he wasn't first choice, to go to Barca, where he probably won't be first choice......

Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen from Premiership champions Chelsea.

The Spanish giants announced the 27-year-old will finalise a four-year deal after undergoing a medical at the Nou Camp at 1200 BST.

It is thought the current La Liga champions will pay in the region of £8m for a player that cost Chelsea £4m six years ago.

Gudjohnsen has scored 86 goals in 263 Blues appearances.

Italian Gianfranco Zola is the only non-British player to have played more games for the club.

Andriy Shevchenko's £30m arrival had forced Gudjohnsen further down the Chelsea pecking order, while Barca were keen for a direct replacement for Henrik Larsson.

Barcelona, who clinched their second La Liga title in a row last month, have been on the trail of several strikers.

But their attempts to land Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Diego Forlan of Villarreal were thwarted.

[rcgills]

Not so sure that he won't be first choice there, Crowie. £8m seems a hell of a lot to pay for someone to keep the bench warm.

[crowie]

Its a decent sum RC but where would you play him? Ronnie and Etoo automatic first choices, Messi will feature more next season if fully fit, Giuly still provides a good option. And they still have Ezquerro do they not (how much did they pay for him?).

Gudjohnsen always looks best as the "2nd striker", in the hole sort of but Barca don't play that sort of formation do they, its usually Etoo with Ronnie and Messi/Giuly wide of him and the midfield 3 are going to be players like Xavi, Deco, V Bommel, Edmilson, Iniesta, all more central midfield players than "hole" players with the possible exception of Deco.

I just don't see where he fits into that line up/formation.

[rcgills]

It's difficult to see where he fits in when you put it like that, Crowie . But as the article you've quoted above says, they were after a direct replacement for Larsson, and Larsson managed to be involved in 28 games this season (14 starts, 14 as a sub). Was Larsson injured at the start of the season too, I can't remember now?

I wouldn't be overly surprised if Giuly was the one to make way. Also have to keep in mind Messi is still pretty young, they'll be looking to avoid overplaying him, I would've thought.

[all_funkt_up]

Giuly has been linked with a move to Liverpool amongst others. Doubt we'd sign him like to be perfectly honest. I think Gudjohnsen is a decent player. Always looked decent as a number 2, but has never really (IMO) been given a shot as a number 1 striker. Mourinho in his infinite wisdom tried him as a winger and an attacking midfielder and never really as a striker....

I like him and think he will bag at least 15 La Liga goals next year.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Must say Gudjohnson is always a player i have thought pretty highly of and its unfortunate he has never been giving a proper run in his favoured position at Chelsea as Mourinho tried turning him more into a midfielder.

I think he will play with Etoo, Messi and Ronaldinho. Definatley be fighting with Giuly if he is still therebut Giuly's looked a pretty poor player season passed compared to his first season where i thought he looked very good.

Good finisher and even better at linking play and i think he could mix well with the rest there.

[crowie]

Originally Posted by all_funkt_up

I like him and think he will bag at least 15 La Liga goals next year.

Bet you he doesn't

[mrmuzeman]

Ihad no idea he was 27, seems like hes been around for an age.

[all_funkt_up]

He's better than Larsson and he managed around that many crowie...

[christianu]

Yeah as gills points out, even though Larsson had injury problems 14 starts and 14 sub appearances and so i think Gudjohnsen will just as they said directley replace him. He can also play in midfield and effectively too so i think its a good buy.

[crowie]

Originally Posted by all_funkt_up

He's better than Larsson and he managed around that many crowie...

Don't think he is AFU.

We could have a friendly £10 if you wanted then? I say under 15 La Liga goals next season.....

[Swooperman]

I dont want anything to do with the bet, but I have to disagree that Gudjohnsen is better than Larsson


I think Larsson is highly under-rated down here as he has scored goals in 'just' Scottish football, but I honestly think he'd have scored a lot of goals in the EPL in his prime

[crowie]

Originally Posted by Swooperman

I dont want anything to do with the bet, but I have to disagree that Gudjohnsen is better than Larsson


I think Larsson is highly under-rated down here as he has scored goals in 'just' Scottish football, but I honestly think he'd have scored a lot of goals in the EPL in his prime

Spot on Swoops. Larsson has the goals at domestic, European and international level plus the medals and awards to prove it. Of course a lot of people will dismiss him as not being a good player as you say, because he didn't play in the EPL, and they will also rate decent EPL players above him.

Gudjohnsen is a good player, would get in a lot of sides but I still stick with my predictions that he won't be a first choice for Barca (front 3 will be Ronnie/Etoo/Messi, midfield will be Xavi/Deco and A N Other) and therefore won't get 15 league goals next season.

[all_funkt_up]

Originally Posted by crowie

Don't think he is AFU.

We could have a friendly £10 if you wanted then? I say under 15 La Liga goals next season.....

10 english says he does...

none of them bloody scottish notes either............

*shake*

:drums

[crowie]

Originally Posted by all_funkt_up

none of them bloody scottish notes either............

, legal tender I tell ya, legal tender


Good man, will give us something to nip at each other throughout the coming season.

*shake*

*prays for Gudjohnsen to break his leg pre-season*