I don’t believe too many of the new money, high rollers in European football are overly concerned about style and the way a particular player fits in with the core of their squad. As long as the money is able to flow – which may not be for too much longer – it will play out like a game battleship, sinking other teams by acquiring targets they might have needed but you definitely didn’t.
That’s why I’m surprised none of the big teams – and I specifically mean big money – went in for Mario Gomez when Bayern Munich made it absolutely clear that he was for sale. The other teams in the Premier League need to be a little smarter with their savings, or at least you’d hope so. But Gomez’s scoring record over the past three seasons in Germany should have landed him a one-way trip to either Manchester City or Chelsea this summer.
Instead, Fiorentina look to be the beneficiaries of Bayern’s charitable nature, with the Italians likely to finalise a deal for the 27-year-old for £15million.
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Nothing but praise should be sent Fiorentina’s way. The club were in a mess as recently as two years ago but managed to put their house in order, retain Stevan Jovetic, add smartly, and land a spot in the Europa League for next season, narrowly losing out to Milan for third place by two points. If Gomez proves to be the (indirect) replacement for Jovetic, then it’s a fantastic piece of business for the Viola.
They don’t need the German to be a playmaker; they have Borja Valero, Adem Ljajic and Alberto Aquilani for that. Giuseppe Rossi may also prove to be a very smart pick up. Gomez, however, is as sure-fire a goal scorer as you’re going to find in European football. Last season saw him on a downturn in terms of numbers due to his surgery which carried over from last summer, but he still scored 19 in all competitions. With Mario Mandzukic the undisputed starter in Jupp Heynckes’ team, what a weapon Gomez was to have waiting in the wings.
What Fiorentina stand to gain from this is a path to the top of the league. A title challenger certainly if they continue on in the same manner as last season. Serie A is so inconsistent that they’re in a good position to capitalise on the shortcomings of others.
For English clubs, Chelsea and Manchester City in particular, there really is no excuse for potentially missing out on a player like Gomez. Sure, Chelsea and Roman Abramovich have their sights set on Edinson Cavani, but where is the loss in saving a ton of cash and picking up a striker in Gomez who has an equal scoring record in previous seasons?
I get that Chelsea and City have the spending power to snub an offer like the one Bayern put out to the rest of Europe, but with Financial Fair Play coming in, we really don’t know how kind UEFA are going to be to the bigger clubs. You look at the options both clubs have in their attack: David Silva, Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas, Sergio Aguero, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Oscar; how does Gomez not score for fun with those names supporting him?
Manchester City are said to be targeting Alvaro Negredo as they seek a replacement for Carlos Tevez, though Atletico Madrid look to be leading the race for the Sevilla striker. But as good as the Spaniard is, Gomez has already gone through the rigours of moving up from a smaller club in Germany to the biggest. He was questioned for his big match temperament when he failed to make an impact at Euro 2008 following his excellent season with Stuttgart, and Bayern faced further questions when they broke the then German transfer record for his signing. That is all behind Gomez now. Today he is one of the elite forwards in the game: a towering striker who will put the ball in the net any way you offer it to him. I was far from convinced by Uli Hoeness’ damaging verdict of the player.
Are clubs missing out by passing on Mario Gomez this summer?
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