Who is Albert Gudmundsson? The chance creating machine wanted by Tottenham
Genoa aren't the most prolific side in Serie A. Indeed, they have struck just 31 league goals this season and while likely safe from relegation, they aren't exactly pulling up trees either. For a side that is averaging just 8.1 key passes per game, the fewest in Italy's top tier, they need to take their chances in the final third. Fortunately, with Albert Gudmundsson featuring in attack, Genoa head into the final weeks of the campaign 10 points clear of the dropzone.
The Iceland international, who bagged a hat-trick in last week's 4-1 mauling of Isreal to set up a Euros playoff final with Ukraine this week, has been hugely effective in front of goal in the 2023/24 Serie A campaign. He is one of only 12 players to have struck double figures for goals in the division having notched 10 times and is overperforming his xG by 3.05, that the fifth largest margin in the division.
So as one might expect, interest in Gudmundsson is starting to ramp up. There may be nine games to play in Serie A but the vultures are circling the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. There is reported interest in the Icelander from Inter and Juventus, while Roma are rumoured admirers of the former AZ Alkmaar man, while Tottenham have also been linked with a summer move. The forward himself is represented by the same agent as former Genoa teammate Radu Dragusin and Spurs shotstopper Guglielmo Vicario, which may work in their favour.
Interest in Gudmundsson is hardly a surprise either. Genoa tend to operate with a three-man backline and with two strikers, one of which is Gudmundsson. However, he isn't an out-and-out number nine with the 26-year-old paired with Mateo Retegui on the the Il Grifone frontline. The former, though, tends to drop into the space between the midfield and attack, operating as the link up man between the two banks.
It's in this pocket where Gudmundsson can utilise his vision to pry apart defences. Gudmundsson ranks top for key passes (66) in Serie A this season, though context must be applied here. Of those 66, 42 have come from set-piece situations, that ranking top, but in turn; just 24 have come from open play. This is in part due to the lack of time Genoa are on the ball. A possession average of 43.6% is the fourth lowest in the division, meaning they will often look to maximise any set-piece to hurt opponents.
As such, only Inter (12), Frosinone (11) and Juventus (10) have scored more goals from set-piece situations than Genoa (9) in Serie A this season, with Gudmundsson key to that return being so high. By comparison, Spurs have one of the highest possession averages in the Premier League this season, with a 61.2% share of the ball ranking fourth. With James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro also on the books, Spurs already have a number of set-piece specialists on the books, meaning Gudmundsson would have more time on the ball to hurt opponents, and fewer chances to do so from deadball situations.
In addition, while Gudmundsson will look to create for teammates where possible, he also isn't afraid to drive the ball forward to put defences on the backfoot. A return of 38 successful dribbles ranks ninth in Serie A this season, which would suit a Spurs side that ranks fourth for dribbles per game (10.1) in England's top tier this term. With a willingness to float between the lines and drift to the flanks, it's no wonder Ange Postecoglou's side are believed to be monitoring the Iceland international.
Postceoglou likes his forward players to be able to operate in multiple roles, and Gudmundsson is one who'd fit the bill given his versatility in attack. Supposedly available for around €30m this summer, a move for Gudmundsson makes perfect sense for Spurs. His form in a Genoa shirt, though, means competition for his services is expected to be rife but as cover for the likes of Son Heung-Min, Richarlison and, feasibly, Brennan Johnson, Kulusevski and Timo Werner, should Spurs make the latter's move permanent, then he'd prove a handy option for Postecoglou if, as expected, they secure a European finish.
He's been likened to Mohamed Salah by midfielder and teammate Kevin Strootman, and if Spurs can get a deal for Gudmundsson over the line; he could prove a fine capture indeed.
