---
title: "Noel Whelan says Newcastle should sign ‘consistent’ Gomez over Godfrey"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/22/noel-whelan-says-newcastle-should-sign-consistent-joe-gomez-over-ben-godfrey/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2022-03-22T19:52:49Z"
modified: "2022-03-22T19:52:50Z"
---

# Noel Whelan says Newcastle should sign ‘consistent’ Gomez over Godfrey

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](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/16/writing-on-wall-for-federico-fernandez-at-newcastle-united/) under Eddie Howe, so the defensive duo could be sold this summer.

And with Newcastle being 17th in the [league](https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/England-Premier-League) for goals conceded (49) while being joint-17th in the [league](https://www.soccerstats.com/table.asp?league=england&tid=f) 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](https://www.90min.com/posts/joe-gomez-to-push-for-liverpool-exit-in-the-summer).

Noel Whelan believes the 24-year-old ‘would excite fans’ if signed and is a [better option than Ben Godfrey](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/21/noel-whelan-questions-why-newcastle-united-want-inconsistent-ben-godfrey/). He told [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/newcastle-united-transfer-news-pundit-issues-exciting-verdict-after-23m-joe-gomez-update/): “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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joe-gomez/transfers/spieler/256178) Liverpool from Charlton Athletic in 2015 and has gone on to make [136 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joe-gomez/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/256178) 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](https://www.si.com/soccer/liverpool/interviews/liverpool-defender-joe-gomez-on-battling-back-from-injury-and-the-future).

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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joe-gomez/leistungsdaten/spieler/256178) this season and amassed 710 minutes of football from a possible 4230. And if Newcastle are willing to match his [£23m asking price](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1581187/Liverpool-transfer-news-Fulham-Joe-Gomez-Neco-Williams-Jurgen-Klopp), he might make the switch.

***[In other news, Noel Whelan questions why Newcastle United want ‘inconsistent’ Ben Godfrey](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/21/noel-whelan-questions-why-newcastle-united-want-inconsistent-ben-godfrey/)***