Who is Joe Gomez?

Article by Craig Muncey

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No doubt many of you will have seen the rumours over the last day or so linking a young Charlton Athletic defender called Joe Gomez with Liverpool as well as other Premiership clubs, and you might well be asking who is he?

The 18 year old has been at Charlton since a very young age and has graduated through the club's academy, he made his debut for the under eighteen team at the tender age of 13, so clearly was identified very early in his development as one to watch.

Joseph Dave Gomez to give him his full name, signed professional forms with Charlton at 17, he made his first team debut in the League Cup, against Colchester United at the same age and week later his league debut against Leeds United.

Joe Gomez to Liverpool?

Overall to date he made 21 appearances for Charlton last season at centre back and at right back which he can also play. Gomez has represented England at under 16 level, under 17 and under 19 levels. At under 17 level he was part of the England team that won the UEFA European Championship for that age group, Gomez played every minute of every game and was selected in the team of the tournament.

Rumour has it that Charlton Athletic are looking for upwards of £7 million, however £3.5 million might get the deal done. I have only seen clips of the player but from what I have seen looks a real power house and plenty of potential.

My only concern is that the money used here could it not be invested in a player for now? Gomez may be a top player in two to three years, my worry is that Liverpool are going into a new season as it stands with Andre Wisdom, who could not nail down a starting position at West Brom, Kolo Toure, whose best days are way behind him, Martin Skrtel, who is in the middle of a contract dispute, Dejan Lovren, who to date, not showed any form, Mamadou Sakho, who looks like he is made out of tin with no joints, Tiago Ilori who we have never seen yet! And Seb Coates who looks like is off to Sunderland. So have numbers but those who are ready and up to the job? Not many.

However if Gomez is available within the kitty and does not stop another proven, ready to play centre back in the premiership, could be an excellent signing, best wishes to him whatever happens.