As the transfer deadline drew to a close it seems French Side Monaco may have stolen the show with the move of the summer. While the big money moved the likes of Robben, CR7 and Kaka, it was the shock signing of Icelander Eidur Gudjohnsen for a measly amount of 2M Euros that may turn out to be the biggest return on investment
Yes 2M Euros, it’s not a lot of money for a player of this pedigree. When you look at the 6.5M Pounds Wolves spent of Doyle, you really have to wonder why everyone missed out on this striker. Eidur has bags of experience from his time in England with Bolton and Chelsea. He also did a decent job playing in Spain for Barcelona.
Gudjohnsen playing stats:
1998-2000 Bolton 55app 18gls
2000-2006 Chelsea 182app 54gls
2006-2009 Barcelona 72app 10gls
The two teams that stand out for me that really missed the boat are Blackburn and Liverpool.
Blackburn needs a good striker, and it would make sense for Big Sam to get back with his former star striker. They have money from the Santa Cruz sale and for the tiny cost it’s not much of a gamble. With Eidur they would have a starter every week up front.
Liverpool is in dire need of a 2nd striker to play along side or as a stand in for Torres. They have nothing at all worth mentioning on the bench. They also missed out on Tuncay from Middlesbrough and of course Owen. I really fear for Liverpool if they have an injury to either Torres or Gerrard.
I could have it all wrong but I see Eidur banging in 15-20 goals this season in France and he could easily have done the same numbers in the EPL this season.
Who do you think was the biggest value for money signing this summer?
I will forever lament Chelsea selling him in the first place…I always rated him as a player, especially when he played more as an attacking midfielder. If he puts away 15-20 goals for Monaco, expect a big club to come calling. He’s out to prove himself.
It’s about wages. Monaco are famous for paying great wages (don’t forget they used to have Morientes, another hugely underrated striker of excellent pedigree).
Blackburn are struggling with their wage bill, they slashed it a lot this season. Liverpool likewise (it’s why the huge transfer budget that was promised disappeared entirely).
Don’t forget that Liverpool’s only major expenditure was on Aquilani and they more than made that money back on Alonso alone (they also made good money on Arbeloa). The debt is crippling many English clubs (those without sugar daddies).
What a bargin! Quality player all the way and clearly the best player Monaco have signed for a long time. He should be back in the English Prem,,. he somehow slipped under the radar.
As a Liverpool fan, i could not agree more. Even if it wasn’t Gudjohnsen, at least some kind of decent replacement for Torres…
There was an interview with him on the news here in iceland a minute ago. He said that he had plenty of offers from all over Europe. He told the reporter that he didnt fancy going back to England and the main reason for that was strong feelings for Chelsea football club. We also know that Monaco is a pretty cool place to live. There are also no taxes down there. That factor comes in nicely when you sign a contract worth 50k a week. Sunshine&Happyness 😉
But I am sure he would have reconsidered if an offer from Liverpool FC would have come along and what a difference he could have made for that team. Arriving straight from the European Champions. A player who could jump in for both Gerrald as an attacking midfielder og Torres as striker. You cant really ask for more quality than that,,. And for 2m euros,, common,,,.
“its about wages”
Liverpool is my favorits, and Guddy is my favorit player. I’m completely sure of he could also have brought his success to Liverpool, that we have been waiting for too long. Just as he did for Barca and Chelsea. Unegoistisk teamplay is what Liverpool is about, that is how he play. It’s pity that Liverpool didn’t buy him or noticed that he was for sale.
Yes, but he’s 31 and hasn’t scored 20 goals in a season for 8 years. His career average is below 1 in 3 which is poor for a striker.
That said, it’s also about the money (tax). No tax in Monaco v 50% in Enland…it’s a no brainer and a problem for the PL now.
i reckon owen is best value for money, as he wont get injured as much ashe wont be used as a starting striker very week so the same ressurewont be on him and atthe end of a day he is satill a quality stiker
Ok, I don’t consider Eidur to be purely a goalscoring striker but a player who can play behind the striker and keep possession, pass the ball and of course score a few goals. Also I think he’s 29 not 31 so…
Eidur is a familyman and wants the best envirement for him and his family so when a deal comes from a club like Monaco where you get a good paycheck and many minutes, sun and awesomness I think it’s a NoBainer.
With that said I don’t like anything he does but I think this is a very good move for him and for Monaco.
@vidar: technically he’s 30 but he’ll be 31 in 10 days time.
He’s been dreadful for Monaco so far. I would rate him as their fifth best attacker in the matches they’ve played.