Morten Gamst Pedersen
Celebrating this icon and his wand of a left foot
Welcome to Football Icons!
In our first issue, we are focusing on a player who's blonde highlights were almost as impressive as his magical left foot. His flair, technique and goal scoring ability made him a cult hero for Blackburn Rovers fans, and any long term fantasy football players will remember him being a very useful, budget friendly asset. From stunning free kicks to wonderful volleys, Morten Gamst Pedersen had a knack for making the extraordinary look effortless. This edition is all about celebrating the magic this icon brought to the Premier League.
Player Profile
Name: Morten Gamst Pedersen
Date of Birth: September 8, 1981
Nationality: Norwegian
Position: Winger / Midfielder
Premier League Clubs: Blackburn Rovers
Premier League Appearances: 260
Premier League Goals: 34
Premier League Assists: 39
Clubs: Tromsø, Blackburn Rovers, Karabükspor, Rosenborg, Tromsø, Alta IF
Overview
A Norwegian winger, Morten Gamst Pedersen was known for his exceptional left foot and ability to deliver pinpoint crosses, free-kicks, and long-range shots. Pedersen's style of play was characterised by his technical skill, particularly his accurate set-pieces and his ability to create goal scoring opportunities from wide positions. He was a fan favourite at Ewood Park. Nicknamed the “Norwegian David Beckham” he is remembered for his flair, consistency, and knack of delivering in crucial moments.
Memorable Moments
Given Pedersen played in the premier league for the best part of 10 years there are quite a few memorable moments to look at. Spectacular goals are not that hard to find, however his best is probably the volley he scored against Fulham in August 2005. If you don’t remember it, check it out here
He scored 34 Premier League goals in total during his time at Blackburn but the two I reckon he reminisces about the most are the brace he got against Man United at Old Trafford in September 2005 (some start to a season that!). This was during the glory years at Man United so nobody, including Pedersen himself could have expected the outcome as Blackburn beat United 2-1 in their own back yard. Neither goal was quite as good as that Fulham volley, but they were pretty close. Check out the highlights from that memorable day.
It wasn’t always 30 yard screamers, spectacular volleys and underdog heroics for Pedersen. Although never renowned for his diving and theatrics, Arsenal fans may have a different opinion on that. In a game at the Emirates against Arsenal, Pedersen tried his luck with a 9.4 out of 10 dive…..or was he fouled? You can decide for yourself, either way the referee didn’t give it and Blackburn lost the game.
Finally another Arsenal related incident, this time with their current manager. We've all seen Arteta get animated on the side-lines over recent seasons, and it seems Pedersen got on the wrong end of this aggression and energy back in 2010. After a mistimed tackle on the former Arsenal midfielder, Pedersen took a nasty poke in the eye. Serious foul play, or just handbags? Check it out
Opinion
Pedersen is a player I loved watching in the premier league. He was the sort of player who could make something happen out of nothing which is probably why he worked so well at a club like Blackburn. They could be soaking up pressure from the opposition and Pedersen would get on the end of a swift counter attack and smash a 25 yarder into the top corner.
As a United fan I particularly remember the brace he scored against us in the 05/06 season. At a time when United had players like Ferdinand, Van Nistelrooy and Rooney in the line-up, 99% of fans were expecting a comfortable United win. Despite the annoyance and frustration of watching United lose that game, this is another reason I loved Pedersen and players like him playing in the Premier league. They gave the smaller teams a shot at beating the big guns. If United were peppering Blackburn’s goal, you still knew they had a chance of nicking something with a player like Pedersen in the team.
Its something I feel has been lost from the Premier League in recent years, with managers becoming more tactical and detailed in their approach. This results in some of the more cultured, flair players within smaller clubs being shoehorned into certain systems which limits their unpredictability and ultimately I think we see less of the Pedersen impact within the modern game.
Did you know?
Morten Gamst Pedersen once admitted to practicing his free-kicks by aiming at a specific window at his childhood home. He was also previously in a band called "The Players" during his time playing for Blackburn Rovers. Pedersen was lead guitarist in the band which consisted of other Norwegian football players, and the band had a successful hit with the single "This is for real".
Where are they now?
Pedersen remains a popular figure in Norwegian media, frequently appearing as a football pundit and commentator on TV. Since hanging up his professional football boots, he has participated in reality shows like "MasterChef Norway,". Now at 42 years old, surprisingly he has only recently stopped playing the beautiful game and in May 2024 suggested he was open to a new challenge....watch this space.
Tell us your memories
As always we want to hear from you. Whether it's the good, the bad or the ugly, share your memories of Pedersen in the Premier League? Hit the comments, and let us know.
Next week
Next week, we'll dive into the career of a former Premier League player known for his knack of being in the right place at the right time. A player who, despite battling injuries, had a season that made everyone take notice—especially in the Midlands. Can you guess who?