Tottenham Hotspur, the Champions League runners-up, had a busy summer in terms of incomings. They were supposed to compete for silverware this term, but a dismal start to their campaign has led to confusions over Mauricio Pochettino’s future. The Argentine is likely to splash the cash once more when the window reopens in winter, and according to Calciomercato, the Lilywhites are set to rival Arsenal for the signing of Liverpool’s Joe Gomez in the forthcoming future.
The 22-year-old defender is versatile, capable of featuring across the backline and started as Virgil van Dijk’s central defensive partner last season. But a foot injury against Burnley ruled him out for months, and Joel Matip stepped up in his absence to cement his place in the heart of the Reds’ defence.
What’s Wrong At Liverpool?
Gomez, meanwhile, waited patiently for his opportunity but failed to impress against Red Bull Salzburg earlier this month in a Champions League group stage encounter. Outcast Dejan Lovren was immediately recalled into the first-team action, and the experienced Croatian is set to retain his place for a while with Matip ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury.
The immensely talented youngster was acquired from Charlton Athletic back in the summer of 2015 for a fee of around £3.5m. He had significant injury woes early in his career but re-established himself in the later years earning a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Gomez, so far, holds seven senior caps for his nation but slipped down the pecking order in Jurgen Klopp’s plans behind Van Dijk, Matip and Lovren. This must have angered the youth sensation who is desperate to secure playing minutes, and a move to Spurs would see him attaining the same considering their current crisis in the defensive third.
Why Gomez Would Improve Tottenham
Tottenham have plenty of options at the back – Serge Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters are contesting for the right-back role, Juan Foyth, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez are being rotated in central defence, whereas Danny Ross, Ben Davies and Ryan Sessegnon are there to challenge and cover each other on the left.
Yet the North Londoners are struggling defensively as their underperforming individuals are letting the manager down week in week out. Gomez, who has made 74 senior appearances for Liverpool, would slot in anywhere handing the gaffer much-needed flexibility. He would even fit in a ‘back three’ set-up if Pochettino tweaks the formation, and therefore, might bring back the resilience they are keen to regain in no time.
