'I'm a Chelsea legend but my 'complete striker' son will be even better than me'
Eidur Gudjohnsen, 46, was back on his old stomping ground when his boy led the Gent attack against the Blues in the Europa Conference League earlier this month
Eidur Gudjohnsen got a thrill out of seeing his son on the big stage at Stamford Bridge - and the former Chelsea striker reckons 22-year-old Andri can follow in his footsteps by going right to the very top.
Gudjohnsen, 46, was back on his old stomping ground when his boy led the Gent attack against the Blues in the Europa Conference League earlier this month.
All three of his sons are now trying to emulate their old man - as well as grandad Arnor Gudjohnsen, a former Icelandic international who was the player to go off when Eidur came on as a substitute for his debut for the Scandinavian nation back in 1996.
But it’s Andri who is currently showing the most promise - and his dad hopes that the London-born forward might even emulate him by eventually pulling on a Chelsea shirt.
Gudjohnsen admitted: “I couldn’t see how Andri would be a player when he was a kid. I’m not being negative, but he was a small, fat little boy who walked around with a ball under his arm!
“Only when he was seven or eight years old did I realise he could become a professional. He made really big steps in the academy of Espanyol when we were living there after my move to Barcelona.
“Andri has the ability to play as a complete striker. I never considered myself to be a complete striker when I played because I always needed to have a player in front of me. Andri doesn’t need that. He is a pure striker and he relies on support and power from the midfield players and the wingers.
“Andri is strong in the air - much better than his dad. He is skilful, thanks to the fact that he had his academy years in Spain, and he reads the game well. He has it all in his locker. I can see him going only one direction - and that is up.
“I don’t say this as a father but as an analyst. I can see he has all the potential to grow to a higher level and make more steps in his career.
“Don’t forget, this is only his second season playing against men. In Sweden, he had a tough time because the coach for some reason was not keen on him.
“At his second club, Lyngby, they knew after just three training sessions that this boy was the perfect striker for them. And now he is in Belgium with Gent.”
Gudjohnsen’s oldest son, Sveinn Aron, earns his living with Norwegian club Sarpsborg. Youngest boy Daniel Tristan is at Swedish club Malmo after spells with Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Their father’s glittering career took him to Barcelona, Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham, Bolton, Stoke and Fulham as well as a six-year stint at Chelsea.
And his heart is still at Stamford Bridge. Gudjohnsen said: “When the European draw was made it was quite a moment and Andri immediately sent me a message. Five minutes later we were on the phone, talking about this match against Chelsea.
“Of course I was hoping my son’s team would get Chelsea because it would be a marvellous story and a fantastic experience for him and the lads.
“I still have so many connections at Chelsea and at least three or four times a year the club invites me to return as their guest.
“I always get top treatment there. The club really looks after me - even though my first-ever league title with Chelsea is now 20 seasons ago.
“Andri was four years old when he was walking on the pitch with me after winning the title again in 2006.
“I remember a great moment when he played on the pitch with Didier Drogba’s sons when we were celebrating the title with the fans. They loved it.”
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