Real Madrid: Gudjohnsen turning into a 'mini-Haaland' for Raúl

Real Madrid’s drive to sign Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé or both next summer will continue unabated as the Liga giants look for a new galactico signing after a couple of quiet transfer windows, but in the meantime there is a player already on the books who has started to attract interest and who is already being compared, albeit in hushed tone, to the Borussia Dortmund and Norway striker.

Andri Gudjohnsen is the son of former Barcelona and Chelsea attacking midfielder Eidur, a 19-year-old striker who has burst onto the scene for Madrid’s Castilla reserve side and with the Iceland national team. On Monday, Gudjohnsen Jr added a second goal in four games to his Iceland tally after receiving his first cap in September.

Unlike his father, who was more of a deep-lying forward player with an eye for a defence-splitting pass, Andri is a pure number nine who uses his 1.89-metre frame in a physical style of play that his coaches at Valdebebas admit still has some rough edges to it. However, they have also identified something that cannot be taught: an eye for goal.

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In the previous international break Iceland coach Arnór Thor Vidarsson needed a momentum swing when 2-1 down against North Macedonia and threw Gudjohnsen on. Two minutes later, Iceland were level.

Castilla coach Raúl, who knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net, has done the same. Two weeks ago Castilla were 2-0 down against Atlético Baleares and on went Gudjohnsen, who forced a penalty and scored in an eventual 2-2 draw. Although still a work in progress, there are similarities with a younger Haaland, not least Gudjohnsen’s hat-trick against Germany as an Iceland youth international in qualifying for the 2’019 Under-17 Euros.

As things stand, Gudjohnsen is fourth in line for the Madrid number nine shirt, behind its current owner, Karim Benzema, Luka Jovic and Mariano. However, given the lack of playing time being afforded to Mariano this season he could be considered a third-choice striker and Carlo Ancelotti has already included him in a Champions League B list squad this season, with the number 42 assigned. Gudjohnsen is likely to get a chance to impress at some stage this season, perhaps in the Copa del Rey.