Newcastle United have an abundance of centre-backs with Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Federico Fernandez, but Clark was dropped from the 25-man Premier League squad and Fernandez is on the periphery under Eddie Howe, so the defensive duo could be sold this summer.
And with Newcastle being 17th in the league for goals conceded (49) while being joint-17th in the league for clean sheets (4), Lascelles and Schar weren’t exactly setting the place alight before Burn arrived. The Magpies are expected to bring in another centre-back as a result and Joe Gomez is the latest name on their radar.
Noel Whelan believes the 24-year-old ‘would excite fans’ if signed and is a better option than Ben Godfrey. He told Football Insider: “If you’re giving me a choice between Godfrey and Gomez, I’m going for the latter every day of the week. He’s more proven at the top level, he’s had more international recognition, and he’s a player well worth that £25m.
“Yes, he’s had his injury problems. But time is on his side, and I believe he is a player who would excite those fans. He’s more consistent, and he gives you a really good option at centre-back and right-back. He can play in a three at the back as well.”
Gomez joined Liverpool from Charlton Athletic in 2015 and has gone on to make 136 appearances in all competitions, grabbing four assists. The England international, who has represented his country on 11 occasions, was a regular at Anfield but has fallen down the pecking order due to injury woes.
Jurgen Klopp has preferred Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip, so Gomez might have to leave to get regular playing time – he’s only made 15/47 appearances this season and amassed 710 minutes of football from a possible 4230. And if Newcastle are willing to match his £23m asking price, he might make the switch.
In other news, Noel Whelan questions why Newcastle United want ‘inconsistent’ Ben Godfrey
