Scouting World Cup Stars: Albert Guðmundsson

June 26, 2018

“In the house it was all about football and it still is. That’s how I like it. Football is basically my life. If I am not playing football then I am probably somewhere watching football.” In a family full of footballers, Albert Guðmundsson has forged a unique career path turning down the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool down for more playing time at Heerenveen and later PSV. Born to Guðmundur Benediktsson, a Icelandic International and later world-famous commentator (after unable to contain his excitement following Iceland’s win over England), Guðmundsson’s mother was a former Icelandic international for the women’s team and the daughter of Ingi Björn Albertsson, who held the record of most goals ever scored in the Iceland First Division with 126. Ingi Björn Albertsson’s father was lbert Sigurður Guðmundsson, who was Iceland’s first ever pro football player playing for the likes of Rangers, Arsenal, and AC Milan. All of this makes Albert Guðmundsson a fourth generation professional footballer.

Albert Guðmundsson himself played youth football at Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur (KR), the oldest and most successful team in Iceland, in 2013 Guðmundsson signed with Heerenveen after turning down Arsenal and Liverpool. Guðmundsson went on trial and said “It was difficult to turn down Arsenal”, only turning them down because he “would get more quickly into the first team” in Holland and “in the end, it was me being realistic about where I would get the most playing time.” However, Guðmundsson stated in the same interview that he supports Arsenal and “I was thinking about it for a while. I was 16 at the time and my family helped me with my decision.” After two developmental years at Heerenveen, Guðmundsson moved to PSV where he has enjoyed two brilliant seasons with the B team in the Second Division, earning himself a chance in the first team, coming on as a sub 8 times this season and starting 1 match. His path to the first team is currently blocked by Hirving Lozano but the world cup could give him a chance to show what he is worth. Though he may not start, Guðmundsson could be a great impact sub, coming on and offering pace on the wings for wary defenders. Who knows what the future may hold for Guðmundsson as he has said he personally likes “to watch Barcelona” and is a “big fan of Spanish football”.

Strengths:

Dribbling
Passing
Through Balls
Set Pieces
Speed
Vision
Technique
First Touch
Finishing

Style of Play:

Skillful Forward with an eye for goal
Creative playmaking
Fast feet and changes of direction
Accurate Through Balls
Likes to Cut Inside
Good Technical Ability
Dribbles his way out of situations
A bit selfish at times

Full Name: Albert Guðmundsson

Nationality: Icelandic

Date of Birth: 15 June 1997 (age 21)

Birthplace: Reykjavík, Iceland

Height: 177 m (5 ft 10 in)

Youth Club: Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur (KR/KR Reykjavík)

Current Club: PSV Eindhoven (PSV/ Philips Sport Vereniging)

Number: PSV (10), Iceland NT (4)

Position: Winger, Forward

Preferred Foot: Right

Market Value: 1.35 Million

Contract Until: 30.06.2019

Player’s Agent: Relatives

Achievements:

None

League Summary:

Eredivisie (9 played/3 assists), Eerste Divisie/ Jupitar League (15 played/ 9 goals and 8 assists)

Writer: Kevin @Sevillista4Life

Photo: Getty Images