Crystal Palace leading the race for Liverpool defender
By Tom Vinall
As per journalist DaveOCKOP, Crystal Palace are "leading the way" to sign defender Joe Gomez from Liverpool before the summer transfer window slams shut on Friday.
He claims Gomez is wanted by "numerous" clubs, but Palace are currently ahead of the pack in terms of a potential deal.
The defender was not in the matchday squad for the opening day victory at newly promoted Ipswich Town, and was an unused sub in the 2-0 victory over Brentford at Anfield, despite new manager Arne Slot making five subs.
Rather than being a utility man, who sits on the bench and fills in in any defensive position when there is an injury or suspension, Gomez needs to find a new club, find a position, play regularly, and play regularly in that said position, Wherever it happens to be.
Playing wide in a back 3 under Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace seems the perfect fit. As a player who has regularly played at both full-back and at centre-back, playing as a left or right centre back in a back three seems the optimal role and position for him.
With the current depth England have in central depth, Gomez will definitely need to be playing regularly at club level if he is to try and get himself into the team, or even perhaps to get into the squad altogether. He didn't play a single minute at the European Championships, despite a fair amount of minutes last season, so imagine what it may be like without regular minutes.
With Joachim Andersen having now departed the club, and Marc Guehi perennially linked with Newcastle United, Palace most definitely need at least one central defender, so the report checks out.
Gomez would be returning to London after nine years at Liverpool, having come through the ranks at Palace's South East London counterparts, Charlton Athletic.
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