Why Eidur Gudjohnsen Should Win Player of the Year

It started with a tweet on 5th December 2014:

Welcome back Eidur! #BWFC pic.twitter.com/AcqfVNg3qA

— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) December 5, 2014

Who knew that the return of fan favourite Eidur Gudjohnsen would go quite so swimmingly? The erstwhile Barcelona, Chelsea, PSV Eindhoven, Monaco and Tottenham Hotspur forward had been languishing in semi-professional football after his most recent release from Belgian Pro League outfit Club Brugge when Neil Lennon offered him a return to Bolton Wanderers.

He had, of course, left his mark on the club in his first spell between 1998 and 2000, leaving for Chelsea in a £4m deal which was, even then, a disgrace. He was worth ten times that amount.

His return was of course celebrated by the Wanderers fanbase, delighted to see the return of one of the most beloved players of the modern era. It wasn't a guarantee of success, given the reputation of Bolton fans to turn on their heroes at the first chance, but he was welcomed back with open arms.

Eidur made his second debut for the club as a second-half substitute for Darren Pratley in a goalless draw with Ipswich Town at the Macron Stadium on 13 December; the same opponents against whom Guðjohnsen had made the last appearance of his previous Bolton spell against in May 2000. This cameo appearance showed that he had lost none of the fire and certainly none of the qualities that had made him such a highly regarded talent on the international stage.

His first goal came at home to Leeds United in January 2015, the first of many. He offered class, experience and course a cache that the common man couldn't provide. When we have been in need of a goal, he has stepped up - most recent evidence being Cardiff City away, but also Blackpool at home and in the home FA Cup tie with Liverpool.

His return has been stunning, and news of his intention to carry on playing should come as a surprise to no-one. Let's just hope that it is at Bolton Wanderers.

Not only that, but his form earned him a recall to the Icelandic national side in March, where of course he made a goalscoring return. What a man, what a player.

He might have only been here since January, but that doesn't make any difference. Without him and his signing we would have been deep in the mire.

Eidur Gudjohnsen is my 2014/15 Bolton Wanderers Player of the Year.