Andre Gomes - Where does he fit in at Barcelona?

Eyebrows were raised when news broke on social media that Barcelona had trumped Real Madrid to sign 22-year-old Portuguese international, Andre Gomes on 21 July 2016. The executives at Madrid were confident that Gomes was in on his way to the Santiago Bernebau. It so appears that some suits from Catalonia had hijacked the deal when the player was in transit.

The midfielder cost Barcelona €35 million with a possibility of a further €20 million due in performance-based add-ons. Did they have to splash the cash on him? Will Gomes add immediate value to the first team, or was this move a statement of intent from Barcelona, an indicative ‘1-0’ in the off-field El Classico chronicles?

Perhaps, it’s neither. In some quarters, Gomes is very highly rated. In others, Gomes is considered to be a tad bit overrated. Well, after all, the Portuguese isn’t a prolific attacking midfielder. He scored just 9 goals in seventy-eight games for Valencia, which averages a meagre 1 goal every 8-9 games.

Neither is he particularly good defensively. Valencia’s defensive-minded players, Javi Fuego, Enzo Perez and Daniel Parejo clocked more tackles and interceptions when compared to Gomes last season. Not being a specialist does negatively influence public perception, after all.

Gomes does fit a certain footballing type, though. Best employed on the left of a midfield trio, he enjoys bursting forward and linking play outside the box. He isn’t a playmaker per se, but is adept at making short passes and has the glorious ability to make accurate diagonal passes with his right foot. Gomes can dribble past players and into space, carrying the ball from central midfield to the opposition penalty box.

Gomes’ advisors will be mindful of the state of affairs in Barcelona’s squad. About six to eight players are vying for two spots in central midfield. The ‘anchor’ role belongs to Sergio Busquets. With the acquisition of Samuel Umtiti and the contract extension of the supposedly Juventus-bound Javier Mascherano, defensive midfield positions are clearly beyond contention, as there is a remote chance that Enrique may begin playing Mascherano as a pivot in midfield.

A tough challenge awaits Gomes

To begin with, Gomes is faced with the herculean challenge of displacing the irreplaceable Andres Iniesta. The Spaniard is getting on in his career and is possibly preparing for life after Barcelona. But, he does have at least two years before he hands the baton to his successor. Iniesta’s skill-set is one of a kind and Gomes, currently, isn’t equipped to take over.

The queue is presumably long. Behind Iniesta, in the pecking order is Arda Turan, a player that cost Barcelona €34 million just last summer. A lacklustre season combined with a forgettable outing at the Euros this year has rocked his price tag. Even if Barcelona wish to cut their losses, they might be strongly advised against moving him on at this point, handing him some game time to regain his form and spike his market value simultaneously.

Ivan Rakitic’s future appears to be in doubt after Barcelona announced Gomes and Denis Suarez. However, the Croatian seems bullish about his future at the club, taking every instance possible to reiterate his commitment to La Blaugrana. He possesses an uncanny similarity to Gomes’ playing style and remains a fan-favourite.

Luis Enrique must also take into consideration the younger players at the club, seeking to make their mark in the first-team. Sergi Roberto’s versatility could see him bounced around the backline. However, the likes of Sergi Samper and Rafinha Alcantara will keep knocking the manager’s door for some minutes on the pitch.

This presents a unique concern for Enrique. Barcelona, at one point, had a succession plan for the outgoing Xavi and the ageing Andres Iniesta with Thiago Alcantara earning his stripes during his formative years. Thiago’s reluctance to bide his time on the wings propelled his transfer to Bayern Munich. The current scenario might feel like deja vu for the management at the club.

Will the management risk losing talent developed in-house to players purchased for big bucks, again? The dilemma will unfold this season.

Under the current scenario, Gomes will probably be a squad player this season, getting fringe minutes in games wherein Iniesta or Rakitic could be rested. Gomes will directly compete with Suarez and Turan as the first-choice off-the-bench in league games and in Europe. The hefty price tag might weigh in his favour initially, but sustained performances will determine Gomes’ position in the squad.

Gomes is privy to the pressure that comes with playing for top European football club. Formerly a player with Porto and Benfica, Gomes is used to the limelight and the scrutiny that comes with it. He also survived the disaster of Valencia last season. Performance pressures might be the least of Barcelona’s concerns with Gomes.

The problem arises with the unshakable burden of his price tag. Gomes treads the dangerous path of being ridiculed as an expensive squad player if he fails to (quickly) establish himself as a prominent first-team player. Worryingly, Gomes is yet to evolve into a truly dependable footballer.

His annoying tendency to go missing in games, only to magically appear and pull a rabbit out of the hat, was a regular feature at Valencia.

Matters will be largely different at Barcelona. Every minute that he plays will be analysed, assessed and criticised. His goal tally and assist contributions will be examined through the lenses of a metaphoric magnifying glass. The Madrid media, in particular, will be out for blood, sniffing at every opportunity on offer.

Gomes believes that Barcelona were the right fit for him technically and for his personality. That might even be true. But, he is far from the finished product and mega clubs like Barcelona don’t exercise the virtue of patience too well. Gomes couldn’t hold down a starting spot at Euro 2016 and that fact should have the senior hierarchy at the club worried.

The former Valencia player has enormous talent, which is without question. Barcelona have paid for that talent and not for a finished product. But, clubs and fans are fickle, lack patience and are hasty in arriving at conclusions. Gomes must be given time to prove his worth without being permanently relegated to the bench.

Unfortunately, that is exactly where he might begin his Barcelona journey come the start of the season.