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Barcelona reject would struggle to get into Tottenham lineup

By Rucker Haringey

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 15: Andre Gomes of FC Barcelona conducts the ball during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Camp Nou stadium on April 15, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 15: Andre Gomes of FC Barcelona conducts the ball during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Camp Nou stadium on April 15, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona are done with Andre Gomes

The Spanish press seem to be convinced that Barcelona are going to sell Andre Gomes to Tottenham this summer. I have no doubt the Catalan giants are done with the Portuguese midfielder, but I do wonder whether or not he’d really help Spurs.

The Premier League club were interested in adding Gomes last summer, but he elected to stay put and fight for his place in Ernesto Valverde’s squad. It’s safe to say that hasn’t worked out for Gomes. He’s only managed to earn 38 minutes of playing time for Barcelona in five substitute appearances this season.

Given his lack of playing time, it’s easy to see why Gomes would be seeking greener pastures. He arrived at Camp Nou with massive expectations. Unfortunately, he hasn’t fulfilled them. Gomes badly needs a January move to kick-start his moribund career.

What is much more difficult to see is whether or not Tottenham really represent greener pastures for him. I’m far from convinced that Gomes would be able to force his way into Pochettino’s starting XI. He has the talent to succeed as a Premier League starter, but Spurs are blessed with a number of quality midfield options at the moment.

To earn meaningful playing time, Gomes would have to oust an established player out of Pochettino’s matchday squad. Given his lack of defensive acumen, it seems unlikely that he’d be in real competition with Eric Dier or Victor Wanyama. When fit, both men present Pochettino with excellent options to shield his back line.

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That means Gomes would need to move ahead of either Mousa Dembele or Harry Winks to even make Pochettino’s match day squad. Both men are clearly favourites of the Spurs gaffer already. Gomes would face an uphill climb to dislodge either of them in the club’s midfield pecking order.

The Portuguese midfielder’s best bet would be to hope that Dembele’s injury issues continue to worsen. Truthfully, it’s pretty easy to see that happening. The talented, but brittle Belgian will miss this weekend’s matchup against Bournemouth due to a lingering ankle issue. It seems unlikely that he’ll ever regain the form that made him such a devastating starter early in Pochettino’s reign.

Even if Dembele’s performance declines due to injury, Gomes would still need to overtake Winks. The slight, but spirited midfielder is riding high after making his full England debut last week. Pochettino recently referred to him as a “perfect midfielder.” Gomes would be foolish to underestimate the English starlet.

Next: Tottenham already have the next Harry Winks in the fold

If Andre Gomes is looking for a club where he can waltz straight into the starting XI then he needs to look elsewhere. The Barcelona reject might face an uphill climb getting into Pochettino’s squad.

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