| Eidur Gudjohnsen, of course, is the answer to a | | | | Icelander because of his remarkable versatility. |
| well-known quiz question. Who was the first | | | | Able to play up front, in midfield, or even on the |
| player to come on as a substitute for his own | | | | wings, Eidur was part of the developing Chelsea |
| father in an international football match? What | | | | team that won the league in 2005 and 2006 and |
| might be even more amazing is that it could | | | | the Carling Cup in 2005. |
| happen again in a few years - Eidur's son was one | | | | Many people were surprised when Eidur signed for |
| of the star players in the annual televised | | | | Barcelona in the summer of 2006, especially when |
| schoolboys tournament in the summer of 2008, | | | | it appeared he was being seen as a direct |
| captaining the Barcelona team. | | | | replacement for the huge fans' favourite, Henrik |
| Born in Reykjavik in 1978, Eidur Gudjohnsen was | | | | Larsen. Initially played as a striker, he certainly had |
| clearly always going to be a footballer and made | | | | problems winning over the Barça faithful |
| his debut in the Icelandic League when he was | | | | and, in his first season, a return of just 5 goals in |
| only 16 years of age. After just 17 games for his | | | | 25 league games led to questions being asked |
| club Valur, the player had done enough to earn a | | | | about the player's suitability for La Liga. |
| transfer to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. During his | | | | One thing that Eidur Gudjohnsen has always been, |
| 2 seasons in Holland, however, Eidur suffered | | | | though, is determined and that played a big part in |
| numerous injuries and was only able to complete | | | | his ability to turn the difficult situation around. By |
| 13 games before being transferred back to | | | | being used more in midfield, the player |
| Iceland - to KR Reykjavik. | | | | demonstrated his adaptability and consequently, in |
| Barely had he signed, though, before he was off | | | | both 2006/07 and 2007/08, he became an |
| on his travels again - this time to England and, | | | | important member of the squad. Able to play in a |
| after a short trial, to Bolton Wanderers. It was his | | | | variety of positions, and always liable to come up |
| success here, mainly as a bustling and determined | | | | with a goal, Eidur Gudjohnsen is now an |
| centre forward, that brought a move to Chelsea, | | | | established Barcelona player and one whom the |
| where he was to stay for 6 seasons. During this | | | | fans now trust totally. |
| spell at Stamford Bridge, Gudjohnsen made a | | | | Iceland's record goal scorer, and with over 50 |
| total of 268 first team appearances, scoring 78 | | | | international caps already, and captain of the |
| goals. | | | | national team, Gudjohnsen has been Icelandic |
| Although originally a centre forward, Eidur always | | | | Player of the year three times. It is a good bet |
| demonstrated what pundits insisted on calling 'a | | | | that he will try to keep his place in the national |
| surprisingly good touch for a big man'. Technically | | | | squad until he's able to play in the same team as |
| gifted, with very quick feet and, crucially, a nimble | | | | his son. Now that would be a good quiz question. |
| brain, the Chelsea fans warmed to the big | | | | |