Albert Gudmundsson’s tenure at Fiorentina has been marred by a series of setbacks, leaving the club questioning their significant investment in the Icelandic forward. Since his arrival, Gudmundsson has struggled with persistent injuries, limiting his impact on the pitch and raising concerns about his ability to meet the high expectations set for him.
Gazzetta dello Sport report how the 27-year-old’s latest setback involves an ankle issue, adding to a list of injuries that have included calf and biceps femoris problems. These physical challenges have restricted Gudmundsson to just 370 minutes of play in Serie A and 503 minutes across all competitions, including the Conference League and Coppa Italia.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, particularly in matches against Lazio and Milan where he scored three goals, Gudmundsson’s overall contribution has been disappointingly intermittent. The club’s substantial investment – an initial €8 million loan fee with a potential obligation to buy for €17 million plus €3.5 million in bonuses – underscores the weight of expectations placed on the player.
Fiorentina manager Raffaele Palladino has been cautious with Gudmundsson’s playing time, often leaving him out of the starting lineup due to fitness concerns. The coach remains optimistic, suggesting that a fully fit Gudmundsson could be like a new signing for the January transfer window.
The player’s struggles have not been limited to the pitch. A legal issue in Iceland briefly interrupted his availability, though it only caused him to miss one match against Atalanta.
