Blackburn Rovers Strike Deal For International
Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has revealed that he has reached an agreement with Iceland over the playing time of attacker Arnor Sigurdsson, according to the Lancashire Times.
The 24-year-old joined the Championship outfit on a season-long loan in the summer from CSKA Moscow, a move he was able to force through due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. A groin injury delayed his debut, but it was worth the wait when he scored in his first outing for the club in the 4-3 defeat against Ipswich Town last month.
Tomasson has been careful to manage his minutes since, but he started at the weekend, scoring twice as Rovers recovered from their recent poor form to beat Queens Park Rangers 4-0.
The Icelandic international was called up by his national team for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, although Blackburn would have preferred him to have remained in England. Sigurdsson however, is an important member of Iceland’s squad, meaning a deal has had to be struck between all parties. As such, Tomasson has revealed that an agreement has been reached that will allow the playmaker to play just one of the two fixtures during the international break;
We know he can score goals. He took his goals excellent and it’s important to have players that are clinical. It’s what we have been missing in the last weeks. Scoring those goals is good.
“He is not totally fit yet, we know that. He’s travelling to Iceland now and I spoke with the coach yesterday. Hopefully, he is only playing one game not two games.
“The coach will do that, I know him very well. We want him scoring goals and up to speed which is important. I’d have rather kept him here, I think he needs a rest.
“He’s played a lot in this period and I have probably used him too much when you look where he’s coming from.”
Blackburn will be hoping their latest star – who has four goals in five games in all competitions this season – will return to Ewood Park unscathed as they look to build on Saturday’s victory when they host Cardiff City on October 21st.
Writer’s View
It’s understandable that Tomasson is keen to protect his loanee, particularly because his goals could prove crucial over the course of the campaign. Sigurdsson looks to be a player capable of punching above the Championship and he does have experience playing at the highest level with appearances in both the Champions League and the Europa League.
It’s a deal which suits both parties, although Iceland’s chances of making Euro 2024 are slim, having won two of their six qualifiers so far. However, getting some extra on-field minutes will do the attacker no harm and should benefit Blackburn in the long run.
