As European minnows Iceland prepare to make their debut in Europe’s premier international tournament, playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson will be a pivotal figure to Strákarnir okkar’s chances.
Role in the team
While the Iceland squad will contain many names unfamiliar to many observers from afar, Sigurdsson is one of the few that could be considered a household name (the other being 37 year old former Barcelona and Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen).
The Swansea no.10 is one of few that commands a regular starting berth in one of Europe’s top leagues, and is arguably the Swans’ most important player.
POPULAR ARTICLES
The striking similarities between France 1998 and 2016
Five premier league stars that can steal the show at Euro 2016
He brings to the squad creativity and a genuine goal threat, while also being lethal from dead-ball situations. At 186cm tall, he is both languid and graceful with the ball at his feet.
Recent form
Sigurdsson has been playing his best football of his career, regaining confidence and influence over games following a difficult spell at Tottenham.
While Swansea struggled for large parts of the Premier League season, Sigurdsson excelled. He netted 11 times over the course of the season in predominantly the no.10 role.
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored an 81st-minute penalty in Iceland's narrow 3-2 defeat to Norway last night. 🇮🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/TaCRa8ioL1
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) June 2, 2016
Throughout the qualification stage, Sigurdsson was Iceland’s leading goal scorer with six, including a vital penalty winner against the Netherlands. He is often the man pulling the strings in a side that has surprised many throughout the road to France and netted in Iceland’s most recent friendly win against Norway.
Conclusion
Sigurdsson, at 26 years old, is at the peak of his powers. If the small nation is to progress into the latter stages of the tournament, then the Swansea talisman will have to be at his best, both scoring and providing goals as he so often does.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
