….. Jordi
I read an article the other day that said Roberto Martinez will take no less than five Wigan Athletic players to Everton if he gets the job there. But then again you have to take these speculative articles with a pinch of salt. Everton are a well-run club, not known to pour big money into transfers.
But looking at the players mentioned – Antolin Alcaraz, Arouna Kone, James McCarthy, Callum McManaman and Shaun Maloney – an obvious name was missing – that of Jordi Gómez.
Mention the name Jordi Gómez in a room full of Latics supporters and you will get an earful. Has a Latics player ever been so derided by the fans, but so supported by the manager? Not that I can recall. Surely Martinez would want to take him to Everton too, given the faith he has shown in the player?
In his four years at the club, Gómez’s Premier League record shows him making 61 starts and 35 appearances as a substitute. He has scored a total of 10 goals and made one solitary assist.
However, we have seen a different Jordi in cup competitions. His superbly taken goal from the edge of the box at Everton and his perfectly timed, measured pass to put in Callum McManaman for the second goal against Millwall in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley stick in the mind. In 9 starts and one substitute appearance in the League Cup and FA Cup this season he has scored 5 goals and made 4 assists.
Gómez’s critics would say that he never had the pace or quickness of movement to be a success in the Premier League: he tends to shine against teams from lower divisions. One thing is for sure – Gómez did as much as anybody to help Latics win the FA Cup with his 3 goals and 4 assists. If Gómez stays at Wigan can he provide the kind of cutting edge in midfield that they will need to challenge for promotion?
Four years ago Jordi Gómez was voted into the Championship Team of the Year for his outstanding performances for Swansea. He scored 12 goals and made 5 assists from 38 starts and 6 appearances as a substitute. He was the playmaker for a newly promoted Swansea side.
The Championship is a different environment to the Premier League. It is a long and difficult season that can wear teams out. Jordi Gómez has proved that he can be successful in that setting. Maybe Latics supporters will see the best of that enigmatic player next season – providing Martinez does not poach him in the meantime.
thanks to jakartakack @ threeamigoswigan.com
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PIE AT NIGHT PODCAST
We promise you that it’s easier to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t have to rely on us to remind you when a new episode comes out.
Apple sorts can find it on iTunes here – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pie-at-night-podcast/id1097853442?mt=2
If you prefer a different podcast app then just search for “The Pie at Night Podcast”.
You can also find us on Stitcher, here – http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-pie-at-night-pocast/the-pie-at-night-podcast
If you’re that way out, you can find and subscribe to our RSS feed here – http://feeds.feedburner.com/thepieatnight
And if you just want to take pot luck then you can find all our episodes on our Soundcloud page
