Heurelho Gomes

Heurelho Gomes
Heurelho Gomes.jpg
Personal information
Full name Heurelho da Silva Gomes
Date of birth 15 February 1981 (1981-02-15) (age 29)
Place of birth João Pinheiro, Brazil
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 1
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2004 Cruzeiro 59 (0)
2004–2008 PSV 128 (0)
2008– Tottenham Hotspur 65 (0)
National team‡
2004 Brazil U-23 8 (0)
2003– Brazil 11 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:26, 8 May 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 7 June 2010

Heurelho da Silva Gomes (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɡõmiʃ]), born 15 February 1981 in João Pinheiro, Minas Gerais), commonly known as Heurelho Gomes or just Gomes, is a Brazilian goalkeeper, who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur. He previously made a name for himself at Dutch club PSV.

Contents

Club career

Cruzeiro

Gomes started his career in his native country Brazil at Cruzeiro, where he played 59 games between 2001 and 2004. Here, he was scouted by Piet de Visser and in July 2004, he was sold to PSV.

PSV

He made his debut for the Eindhoven club against Red Star Belgrade on 11 August of that year.[1]

At first, there were critics, saying that Brazilians 'should be on the field, not in the goal'. In other words, there were doubts if Gomes was reliable enough. Those doubts were quickly erased. Even though he conceded two goals in his debut against RBC, which PSV won 5–2, he proved himself to be a reliable goalkeeper. He played a major part in PSV's four latest consecutive titles in the Eredivisie and in the great European achievements. In his first season, PSV immediately reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where in the 14 attempts before, PSV wasn't able to reach the second round. In the following seasons, PSV progressed each time from the group stage.

In the Eredivisie, Gomes was known for his outstanding reflexes, which saved points for PSV more than once. Also his trademark throwing ability is well known. Gomes is able to throw the ball all the way deep into the opponents half. Also before the start of the match and second half, Gomes jumps up above the goal with his shoulders, pumping up the PSV supporters.

Before his transfer to Tottenham, Gomes was a crowd favorite at PSV. He can speak Portuguese and Spanish and while in Holland, he picked up a fair amount of Dutch, although it has to be said he is not fluent in the language.

Gomes celebrates winning the 2007–08 Dutch championship with PSV.

Even though the rivalry between PSV, Feyenoord and Ajax is intense, fans from rival clubs showed sympathy for the Brazilian.

Notable was an incident in Rotterdam in the match against Feyenoord, when Gomes injured himself whilst celebrating a goal, scored by his teammate Phillip Cocu. However, he managed to continue and even managed to pull off a wonder save, keeping his side in the game, which they went on to draw.

Notable achievements

Gomes achieved a great amount while at PSV. He has the record for highest percentage of clean sheets in the Eredivisie, with him keeping a clean sheet in 60% of his league games for PSV. He also scored a wonderful volleyed chip against Feyenoord which enabled him to be the first ever goalkeeper who scored in the Eredivisie for 6 years. In his first season in Holland, Gomes went 16 hours and 11 minutes without conceding a goal. In the same season, Gomes went on another run without conceding any goals, this time he didn't concede a goal in 817 minutes. In his third season, 2006–07, he had again a notable streak. Gomes didn't concede in 956 minutes, which eventually played a huge part in PSV's surprise capture of the championship title. PSV won the 2006–07 title, after having the same amount of points as Ajax, but PSV finished first due to a better goal difference (+50, against +49 for Ajax). Even though those were very impressive stints, it wasn't enough to break the record of Heinz Stuy, who set the record in 1971 with 1082 minutes. Gomes did set a record, though, when in the 2007–08 season he kept a clean sheet in his first 5 games.

Criticism of the board and chairman of PSV

Gomes has stated in several media that he wouldn't mind staying at PSV until the end of his career. However, in December 2007, Gomes stated in the Dutch magazine Voetbal International that he had lost trust in PSV. He also criticized the trainer situation. Ronald Koeman, who went to Valencia was replaced by Jan Wouters, who stepped aside for Sef Vergoossen in January 2008, who in turn was replaced by Huub Stevens in the summer of 2008. Also, Gomes criticized the way Vergoossen had treated youngster Ismaïl Aissati, saying that Vergoossen was too hard on the young midfielder and that he didn't get the trust that he needs. The conflict started when Gomes could have signed a contract until 2011, but the offer was withdrawn when the Brazilian was about to sign.

Tottenham Hotspur

Gomes lining up for a match with Spurs against Chelsea.

Following appointment of manager Juande Ramos, Gomes signed for Tottenham Hotspur on 27 June 2008[2] for a fee was believed to be around £7.8 million.[3] Gomes played his first game in Tottenham Hotspur colours in a pre-season friendly match on 19 July 2008 against Segunda División B side Dénia, which Tottenham won 4–2.

Gomes eventually obtained a work permit to play in the United Kingdom, despite playing less than the 75% required amount of games for Brazil in the last 2 years.

Gomes made his home debut on the 10 August 2008, keeping a clean sheet with a 5–0 victory over Roma on Tottenham's last pre-season friendly, before the English Premiership campaign 2008–09.

Gomes didn't have the best start to life in the Premier League, as Tottenham lost the first two opening games 2–1 to Middlesbrough and Sunderland respectively, but his commanding presence in goal helped Spurs earn their first point of the season with a draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. However, his reputation took a hit a week later when he "inexplicably let Ashley Young's weak 54th-minute shot slip under his body"[4] in Spurs' 2–1 home defeat against Aston Villa. These blunders continued as he conceded an own goal against Fulham on 15 November 2008, which kept his club mired deep in the relegation zone and also caused Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeping coach Hans Leitert to be sacked on 19 November 2008 in the wake of Gomes' blunders, with the appointment of former Spurs Goalkeeper Tony Parks made shortly after.[5] Since his nervous start to his new club, he put in brilliant performances against West Ham United, saving two important shots deep into the match in which Tottenham won 2–0, before earning praise from Harry Redknapp with two world class saves to deny Park Ji-Sung and Ryan Giggs in a 0–0 draw with Manchester United.[6]

Gomes was injured in spurs' 5–1 win over Hull City in the second game of the 2009-10 Premier League season and had to be replaced by second-choice keeper Carlo Cudicini.[7] After an MRI Scan it was revealed that Gomes suffered damage to his groin which would keep him out for up to a month.[8] Gomes made his return to first team action in the 5–1 victory over Preston in the Carling Cup on 23rd September 2009,[9] and made his Premier League comeback in the 2–1 win at Portsmouth on 17th October. During this match the Brazilian made a handful of brilliant saves, one of which was compared by former spurs 'keeper Pat Jennings to a famous save made by Gordon Banks against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup.[10] On the 3rd April 2010, he made two penalty saves out of three against Darren Bent in a 3–1 defeat away at Sunderland. On the 14th April 2010, Gomes' fine form aided Spurs in picking up their first League victory over Arsenal in 21 meetings. He saved a Robin Van Persie free kick and several other attempts on goal in succession. The following week, on 17 April 2010, Gomes again made several crucial saves as Tottenham beat Chelsea 2–1 as the team passed Manchester City to become fourth in the standings. He kept a clean sheet against a 1-0 victory over Bolton and then he played a vital role in the 1-0 Victory against Manchester City with two world class saves which saw Tottenham get into Champions League for the first time since 1962 and the second time in their history.

International career

Gomes made his debut for Brazil in 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Although the competition is for senior national teams, Brazil chose to send an Under-23 squad to the competition. Gomes made 5 appearances as Brazil went to the final and finished second after being beaten by Mexico 1–0.

Despite being part of the Brazilian squad that won the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup as the third-choice keeper behind Dida and Marcos, Gomes did not receive any playing time. He was also excluded from then coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's final 23-man roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

It wasn't until his inclusion on the team for a series of late-summer friendlies, as a consequence of new Brazil coach Dunga's desire to play many of the Seleção's younger stars, that Gomes has finally gained some consistent playing time in goal. On 14 August 2006, he was called up for a friendly against Norway, which ended in a 1–1 draw. On 3 September 2006, he played in Brazil's 3–0 win over rivals Argentina at Emirates Stadium in England. Two days later, Gomes kept a second consecutive clean sheet in a 2–0 victory over Wales at White Hart Lane. His latest stint between the sticks was during a 2–1 win over Ecuador on 10 October 2006.

On 11 May 2010, it was announced that Gomes would be part of the Brazilian squad which would compete at the forthcoming World Cup in South Africa. Gomes made a rare appearance for Brazil in a World Cup warm-up game, replacing Brazil's number one keeper Júlio César Soares Espíndola as a substitute.[11]

Honours

Cruzeiro

PSV

Tottenham Hotspur

International

Career statistics

Season Club Country Competition Matches Goals
2001 Cruzeiro  Brazil Série A 0 0
2002 Cruzeiro  Brazil Série A 14 0
2003 Cruzeiro  Brazil Série A 40 0
2004 Cruzeiro  Brazil Série A 5 0
2004–05 PSV  Netherlands Eredivisie 30 0
2005–06 PSV  Netherlands Eredivisie 32 0
2006–07 PSV  Netherlands Eredivisie 32 0
2007–08 PSV  Netherlands Eredivisie 34 0
2008–09 Tottenham Hotspur  England Premier League 34 0
2009–10 Tottenham Hotspur  England Premier League 30 0
Total 251 0

International statistics

As of June 7, 2010[12][13][14][15]
National team Club Season Apps Goals
Brazil Cruzeiro 2003 5 0
2004 0 0
PSV 2004–2005 0 0
2005–2006 0 0
2006–2007 4 0
2007–2008 0 0
Tottenham Hotspur 2008–2009 0 0
2009–2010 2 0
Total 11 0

References

  1. ↑ "Meesterscout Piet de Visser". Sargasso. 8 February 2008. http://sargasso.nl/archief/2008/02/08/meesterscout-piet-de-visser/. Retrieved 15 June 2008.  (Dutch)
  2. ↑ "Gomes deal agreed". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (tottenhamhotspur.com). 27 June 2008. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gomesdealagreed260608.html. Retrieved 27 June 2008. 
  3. ↑ Jacob, Gary (27 June 2008). "Tottenham pay £7m for Brazil goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes". Times. (London: www.times online.co.uk). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article4222568.ece. Retrieved 14 February 2010. 
  4. ↑ Chris Whyatt (15 September 2008). "Tottenham 1–2 Aston Villa". British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Sport). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7601910.stm. Retrieved 16 September 2008. 
  5. ↑ "Spurs goalkeeping coach departs". British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Sport). 19 November 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7737001.stm. Retrieved 19 November 2008. 
  6. ↑ Ian Hughes (13 December 2008). "Tottenham 0–0 Manchester United". British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Sport). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7763495.stm. Retrieved 13 December 2008. 
  7. ↑ Sam Lyon (19 August 2009). "Hull 1 – 5 Tottenham". British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC Sport). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8202440.stm. Retrieved 22 August 2009. 
  8. ↑ "Gomes update.". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (tottenhamhotspur.com). 20 August 2009. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gomesupdate200809.html. Retrieved 22 August 2009. 
  9. ↑ "Peter the great!.". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (tottenhamhotspur.com). 23 September 2009. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/peterthegreat230909.html. Retrieved 23 September 2009. 
  10. ↑ "Gomes' 'miracle save' – Pat.". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (tottenhamhotspur.com). 21 October 2009. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gomesmiraclesavepat211009.html. Retrieved 22 October 2009. 
  11. ↑ Julio Cesar injury mars Brazil victory irishtimes.com 02 June 2010
  12. ↑ Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 2002–2003
  13. ↑ Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian National Team) 2006–2007
  14. ↑ Seleção Brasileira Restritiva (Brazilian National Restrictive Team) 2000–2003
  15. ↑ Seleção Brasileira Restritiva (Brazilian National Restrictive Team) 2004–2008

External links

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. – current squad

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