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Blackburn Rovers’ summer signing Andri Gudjohnsen’s performance against France in the World Cup qualifiers will have Valerien Ismael smiling from ear to ear.
The London-born Iceland international starred against Les Bleus on Tuesday night as his country fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes.
Gudjohnsen, son of former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, had only arrived at Ewood Park days before he had to go on international duty, signing on deadline day for £1.75million.
Blackburn boss Ismael said ex-Real Madrid B ace Gudjohnsen was ‘the full package’ when he put pen to paper, and his performance against France shows he can solve an ongoing Rovers issue.
Andri Gudjohnsen’s goal for Iceland against France shows he can be the goalscorer Blackburn Rovers need
Gudjohnsen opened the scoring in the clash with France, pouncing on a hospital pass from Michael Olise across the home side’s backline with a wicked first time finish to score his 10th goal for his country.
He thought he had snatched an equaliser in the closing stages, but his goal was chalked off after VAR spotted a shirt pull on Ibrahima Konate.
Blackburn have been crying out for a goalscorer since 2023/24 golden boot winner Sammie Szmodics’ move to Ipswich Town last summer and have only netted four league goals so far this season.
Yuki Ohashi was Rovers’ highest scorer last term with nine league goals – a far cry from Szmodics’ 27 the season before.
Four other Blackburn Rovers players in action over the international break including Lewis Miller
Five of Blackburn’s players have been in action over the international break.
Augustus Kargbo, summer signing Lewis Miller and Balazs Toth have been away with their respective countries as well as Gudjohnsen.
Toth started Hungary’s game against Portugal, conceding to Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva in his country’s 3-2 loss in the World Cup Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Miller played 64 minutes for the Socceroos against New Zealand in his country’s 3-1 win.
Igor Tyjon also linked up with England’s Under-18s.