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Tottenham end Barkley interest amidst negotiations for Andre Gomes – Here’s why Gomes is a better fit
Ross Barkley’s hamstring problem always looked like throwing a spanner in the works of any move away from Goodison Park this summer, and it seems to have ended his prospects of a move to North London, at least this window, with Tottenham seemingly put off by what may be a three-month injury lay-off, as reported by the Transfer Centre.
Of course Mauricio Pochettino may re-ignite that interest in January, providing that Chelsea don’t tie up a deal for the England international before deadline day is up, but in the meantime, Spurs have turned their attentions to another midfield man, Barcelona’s Portugal international Andre Gomes, according to the .
But, this sudden change of heart begs the question, does Spurs’ new target suit Pochettino’s style of play better, and what does he offer compared to Barkley?
What the stats say
In five seasons at Everton including this, Barkley has featured 150 times for the Toffees in the Premier League, netting 21 goals and clocking up 18 assists. He has averaged overall roughly 40.25 passes per game, and succeeded in 75% of his tackles in midfield. He also has 22 England caps to his name.
If we compare Gomes based on his time in La Liga with Valencia and Barcelona, Gomes has made 105 starts and 18 substitute appearances, the majority of his cameos coming with Barcelona (13 last season). He has also made a total of 12 Champions League appearances for both clubs and a further three in the Europa League. He also has 25 caps for Portugal, and was a member of the side that was triumphant at Euro 2016. Arguably, therefore, he seems a more seasoned player than Barkley, despite only being one year older.
He is less prolific in front of goal than Barkley admittedly, with just 12 career goals, but given that by trade he is a less attack-minded midfield option than his counterpart, this is to be expected.
Styles of play – do Spurs really need another attacking midfielder?
Barkley is known for being a primarily attacking midfielder, with dribbling, passing, playmaking, long shots and key passes all a part of his game. Defensively is where the Liverpudlian lacks, although he does complete most of his tackles.
Gomes, interestingly, isn’t particularly proficient with defending either, and tries to avoid diving into challenges given his tendency to give silly fouls away. He is a great dribbler like Barkley, but is less direct and far more focused on retaining the ball and building up play, rather than being a more direct player. He does contribute significantly more defensively than Barkley though, albeit if this is only pressurising opponents in possession, and whereas Barkley has often being found wanting in possession, Gomes appears far more calm and collected on the ball.
Arguably, a midfield player of Gomes’ mould is more of what Tottenham need at the moment. They already have a direct-minded attacking midfield man in Christian Eriksen, and Barkley is arguably a less refined version of the Dane when one compares how both may fit into Pochettino’s system. Alongside Eriksen just behind the forward, Pochettino already has two attacking options that Barkley may find difficult to dislodge: Son Heung-Min- who has proved more than a reliable source of goals himself- and Dele Alli, another young prodigy who has arguably impressed more than his Everton counterpart since being tipped for the top.
Depth – where could Gomes fit in?
Depth was one of the key issues in Pochettino’s squad over the past two seasons, and Gomes would certainly provide another reliable option in midfield in a squad that has seemed thin in the past, much to the detriment of Spurs’ title challenges over those years.
Around the focal point of Kane and the three attacking midfield men behind him, a more defensive midfield duo is needed to slot in front of the back four as is customary in Pochettino’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
Gomes could fit in nicely alongside Victor Wanyama or Eric Dier in Spurs’ formation, given that Gomes isn’t primarily a defensive minded player. His presence alongside the defensive-minded Wanyama could even make room for Dier slot into the defence, which could see Jan Vertonghen go out to left-back in place of the younger Ben Davies.
It is most likely, therefore, that given Gomes’ ability to retain possession and build-up play that he will provide competition for Mousa Dembele in midfield, but he provides Pochettino with a different type of midfielder to throw into the mix, should he choose to dispense with the midfield engine and try to keep the ball, although Gomes is no stranger himself to galloping forward.
In the event of injury problems, the Argentine may even opt to bring the Portuguese into the attacking three, most likely in the event of a Dele Alli absence, given Gomes’ experience playing on the left of a midfield three in the past for Barcelona and indeed Portugal.
All in all, when broken down, Andre Gomes appears more the type of versatile midfielder that Tottenham need in their squad at present. They are blessed with an array of attacking options but need a midfielder that specialises in retaining possession, playing passes and helping build-up play. He is a different type of midfielder to the Dembele engine and the defensive-sweeping Dier and Wanyama, and could, therefore, be the new midfield option Pochettino needs. That in mind, he may well prove a more sensible acquisition that Barkley at this time.