Teemu Pukki: Finland’s New Poster Boy

It has been 1638 days since a Finnish player graced a Premier League pitch, that player being Jussi Jääskeläinen when he came on to replace the sent off Adrian in a goalless draw at Southampton. The reputation of Finland in the Premier League now lies on the shoulders of Norwich’s frontman, Teemu Pukki. 

The 29-year-old Fin has impressed a lot during his time in England scoring 34 goals in just 48 games for the Canaries.

Teemu Pukki pictured upon signing for Norwich.

Pukki joined the Norfolk side on a free transfer following a fantastic spell with Brøndby IF, 72 goals and 23 assists in his 164 games for the Danish outfit. A relatively unknown player before arriving at Carrow Road despite spells in the La Liga, Bundesliga and SPFL  although all considered unsuccessful. However, it seems fourth time’s a charm in the limelight for the striker. 

His maiden season in England was sensational by all standards. He adjusted to the league immediately scoring in his second appearance in a 4-3 home loss to West Brom. Despite Farke initially employing him as a winger, once he was given the freedom to play centrally the goals came flooding in. Three goals in his first three games showed Farke and the Norwich fans he was perfect for the centre forward role. 29 goals in his first season, most goals in a season for a foreign player since its inception in 1992, gave him the golden boot along with Norwich and EFL Championship player of the season. 

Pukki pictured after receiving the EFL Player of the Season award.

His goals led Farke’s men to win the EFL Championship for the first time since 2003-04, under Nigel Worthington. His 30 goals in all competitions matched Grant Holt’s tally from the 2009-10 season in League One. Farke’s 4-2-3-1 system allows Pukki to show all of his talents and he was fundamental to their promotion. The Finnish dynamo has showcased all the types finishes from solo strikes to edge of the area wonder goals and typical poacher’s finishes inside the area. He has it all as a lone striker. Not forgetting his hold up play bringing his fellow attackers into play which has resulted in 10 assists. 

Many pundits were worried that he would be a one-season wonder and would fail to adapt to the pace of the Premier League but, so far, how wrong they were. In just the two games he has played he has notched four goals topping him as the league’s top scorer. He has become only the 17th Finnish player to play in the Premier League and his fantastic goal-scoring start puts him sixth in Premier League goals by Finnish players. 

Pukki’s mesmerising start to his Premier League life has caught the eye of many and has earned numerous records.

The Finnish talisman snapped with his hat-trick match ball.

He is just the ninth Norwich player to score a top-tier hat-trick and the first since Efan Ekoku against Everton in September 1993. His hat-trick against Newcastle was his first since he struck three against AC Horsens in April 2018. Not only has he added his name amongst esteemed players, but has made his very own record – becoming the first player in Premier League history to score as many as four goals in his first two appearances in the competition. A man of many records holds a fascinating stat of his own – he has scored with his first shot on target in each of the last eight league seasons (across Schalke 04, Celtic, Brøndby IF & Norwich City careers); a record stretching back to the start of 2012-13.

Norwich and Finland football fans are hoping that Pukki can continue his bright start and give Finnish football a platform in the world’s best league.

 Is Teemu Pukki the man to continue the legacies built by Hyypiä and Litmanen?

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