Sigurdsson Central to Iceland's Hopes of Progression

“We are not going to France to make up the numbers and enjoy some sun. We are there to play and win football matches,” Gylfi Sigurdsson exclusively told WhoScored in their free to download Euro 2016 guide. Iceland partake in their first ever European Championship when they kick off against Portugal on Tuesday. The smallest nation in the tournament secured automatic qualification to France 2016 ahead of both Turkey and Netherlands, doing the double over the latter, and proving they're not to be underestimated.

Iceland’s meeting with Portugal in Saint-Etienne is without doubt their toughest game in Group F, arguably the easiest to navigate at the European Championship. With the rules changed so four of the six third placed teams progress to the knockout stages this summer, Iceland have every right to be confident of securing a last-16 spot. 

Head coaches Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson have at their disposal a number of stand out performers in the squad, but none more so than Sigurdsson. Having struggled in the early stages of the Premier League last season, the goalscoring dynamo sprung into life once Francesco Guidolin took over the reins at the Liberty Stadium back in January. 

Of the 11 goals Sigurdsson scored in the Premier League last season, seven came in the 15 appearances since Guidolin’s appointment. Two of this three assists were also registered after the Italian’s arrival at Swansea, with the experienced manager’s confidence in Sigurdsson hardly misplaced. Indeed, it was little shock to see his WhoScored rating improve from 6.64 to 7.29 after Guidolin was confirmed as the new manager. 

Having been rested for the final two games of the season, Sigurdsson comes into Euro 2016 with his form high and ready and raring to go for the tournament. The hopes of the small nation rest firmly on his shoulders, though a commendable return of 13 goals in 39 appearances for Iceland suggests he is ready to carry the flag. Expected to start in his favoured number 10 role, the 26-year-old operates best when space is created for him to exploit his creative and goalscoring ability. 

When Bafetimbi Gomis started for Swansea, Sigurdsson’s influence was understandably nullified, with the Frenchman unable to produce the necessary performances to maximise the Icelander’s talents. Once Gudiolin took charge, however, and Andre Ayew was deployed as the lead striker, Sigurdsson began to flourish once more, with the Ghanaian’s clever movement off the ball able to drag defenders out of position. 

It was no shock to see his shots per game number rise (from 2.3 to 2.7). A marginal difference perhaps, but the increase in goals suggests that the opportunities presented were in a position where a goal was a more likely end result rather than pot shots at goal, where he was expected to miss rather than score. With the extra space afforded to Sigurdsson, he was also able to gain a better head of steam to drive for goal, with the number of successful dribbles per game also rising (from 0.4 to 1.1). 

While this could point to an increase in confidence as a result of his goalscoring exploits, Sigurdsson’s movement into space created by Ayew to receive the ball will have helped him rediscover his best form. It’s vital therefore that Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, the man set to lead the attack in Iceland’s expected 4-2-3-1 formation this summer, constantly be on the move in order to help free up the necessary space in the final third with which Sigurdsson can utilise his preference to go for goal from deep. 

He won’t be without ammunition with which to use either, particularly if Johann Berg Gudmundsson starts in the offensive trident behind the frontman. While Charlton endured a poor campaign, culminating in relegation to League One, no player registered more assists in the regular Championship season than Gundmundsson (11) last term. The 25-year-old played a respectable two key passes per game, highlighting his commendable creative talents. If he can continue his good club form and pick the right pass, Sigurdsson will have ample chances created for him to hit the back of the net. 

Judging by his words, Sigurdsson means business in France this summer and rightly so. Iceland have the potential to upset the odds at Euro 2016 and their chances of doing so increases with the Swansea star back to his best. Provided Sigurdsson can replicate his good club form for country, Iceland can be confident of at least a place in the knockout stages of this summer’s European Championship.