In a summer of colossal transfer fees, where Liverpool twice over delivered runners up to their most expensive transfer outlay of all time, it was Charlton’s 18-year-old prodigy, Joseph Gomez, who appears to have stole the spotlight and hit a home run in the value department.
Preferred as a centre-back, Gomez has already demonstrated his versatility – and to an impeccable standard – when called upon too by manager, Brendan Rodgers. An unfamiliar name from a not-so decorated club prompted surprise and rigid scepticism amongst many, but having made only a handful of appearances, he has seemingly won over cynics and vilified Liverpool’s £3.5 million outlay.
The judgements already cast may be seen as naive – an uneducated majority, clinging to hope and of a desperate mind-sight, looking to overhaul the dwindling doubts that not enough has been done in the market to reclaim Champions League status. That’s one view. Another view is: you know class when you see it. The countless examples are there; Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard – all were immediately recognised as the top players they would become, before they had become them.
Young in age Gomez may be, but his accomplishments so far in his career make him an experienced cog for his age group. A graduate of Charlton’s academy, Gomez made his debut for the U18’s when he was 13-years-old. His rise continued and, at 17, he made his senior debut at right-back in 4-0 home win over Colchester United in the Capital One cup. One week after, Gomez made his league debut in a 3-2 home win over Derby County.
24 appearances later – 18 of those starting berths – and Gomez had drawn the attention of many elite suitors, including the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United. But it was Liverpool who most appealed to the London-born teenager and, having been convinced by Brendan Rodgers that he could provide the opportunities he needed and improve him as a player, Gomez penned a long-term contract on Merseyside.
Gomez has turned out for England at almost every level and was an ever-present in the nation’s U17 side that won the 2014 European Championship. Gomez, then 17, played every minute of England’s five matches and earned a place in UEFA’s team of the tournament having been a standout.
On the eve of his competitive Liverpool debut, the neutrals – not closely aligned with Liverpool FC – will know little or nothing about the 18-year-old debutant and will likely greet his inclusion with perplexity. But this is a player – and moreover, a deal – that warrants a humble appreciation and dose of credit for Liverpool’s scouting department, and equally the same recognition for those involved in brokering a deal so swiftly and efficiently.
In a market where English talent is so richly advertised, a player of Gomez’s calibre – at the £3.5 million he cost – cannot be described as anything other than a coup. A player who, under the right manager and in the right environment, could blossom to as much as three times the amount Liverpool paid (such is the market) for him, which makes for great reading from an economical point of view, from a Liverpool perspective. Some may even say Liverpool hit a goldmine in Joseph Gomez, before they even began digging.
Luke Gains
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