Not So Average Joe Can Break The Mould

The circle of football life goes on. A matter of days after Aston Villa secured the free transfer signing of once 'Next Big Thing' Micah Richards, the new kid on the block walks through the doors at Liverpool. Welcome to Anfield, Joseph Dave Gomez. The central defender, born in 1997 but standing at a dominant 6ft 2, could not have asked for a more fitting warning concerning his progression. Richards, a player lauded for his physical attributes at such a young age, quickly discovered the path to stardom was more than a simple sprint and a shoulder barge. Many an English prospect lies by the wayside of that particularly well-trodden path. After signing for Liverpool for a reported initial £3.5million, Gomez seems likely to greet them with a quick wave as he passes by sooner rather than later. Of course, at the same point in his respective career, Richards was already a fully-fledged England international. Still the youngest-ever defender named in a Three Lions squad, the right-back had featured 79 times for Manchester City before exiting his teenage years. With 24 first-team appearances under his belt having only just turned 18, Gomez is staring into the abyss of his potential future. It isn't just the trials and tribulations faced by Richards which Gomez will be expected to learn from. A long line of young centre-backs have tried and failed to make the grade at Anfield. Tiago Ilori, Jack Hobbs, Danny Wilson and Gabriel Paletta all serve as reminders of the difficulty of the tasks ahead. Another who struggled at Liverpool in recent years was Sebastian Coates. Reports claim that Gomez is being signed to replace the Uruguayan. It's testament to his attitude that, despite his delve into the unknown, he wouldn't settle for a bit-part role even in his first season. "Definitely, that's my aim," he said of hoping to compete for a first-team place from the start. "I want to come in and challenge and be involved. But I know that there's top-quality players and the centre-backs and defenders already here are great. I'd like to come in, do my best and learn from them." An air of confidence and self-belief, but a youngster who knows full well how much he needs to improve. Gomez's physical attributes have rarely been doubted, but the mental aspect to his game is just as impressive. It's that aforementioned mental strength that has seen him rise and rise through the ranks wherever he is. At just 13 he was fast-tracked in Charlton's Under-18's side, while call-ups to the England U16, U17 and U19 ranks soon followed. Just last May the central defender played every minute of England's five games as they secured U17 European Championships glory, beating the conveyor belt of Dutch talent in the final. He was named in the Team of the Tournament. Months later he had made his debut for Charlton, before being named their Young Player of the Year for last season. Whatever you throw at the versatile star, he tackles head on. "I know the Premier League is obviously a step up but hopefully I can take it in my stride. I'm ready to learn and I'm looking forward to it. "I know that opportunities can be slim sometimes. But under a manager like Brendan, it speaks for itself." For all his new manager's deficiencies, preventing the progression of youngsters is not a criticism that you can use for Rodgers. One hopes the Northern Irishman can learn from his mistakes with Emre Can et al., and not Phil Jones-ify Gomez into a utility man. Gomez's style will certainly appeal to Rodgers. A ball-playing defender who, while his strengths clearly lie in the centre, is also adept at full-back. Similarities to Mamadou Sakho will be drawn, and understandably so. The Frenchman may come in for criticism - much of it undue - but he may be Gomez's perfect role model. Once the club's youngest centre-half, the 25-year-old is now arguably their best. Having shown enough already to prove he has the attributes to succeed where Richards and the rest failed, Gomez could be the man to usurp him soon. So amidst the cries of 'experience is needed', Liverpool fans can be assured they have a potential future England star on their hands, and just for £3.5m at that. Never mind 'experience', Gomez is more than ready to be drip-fed into the deep end come August.
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