Michael Ball thrilled by what Everton 26-year-old has achieved
The sight of Everton midfielder Andre Gomes getting back onto the pitch against Arsenal on Sunday was one that brought a smile to every football fans’ face.
The 26-year-old’s season and possibly even his career looked under threat when he went down under a horror tackle from Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min in November.
Cut to late February and the Portugal international was back in action for the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side went on to lose the game 3-2, of course, but Gomes’ return was an unquestionable positive from the fixture.
Former Blues defender Michael Ball was certainly pleased to see the former Barcelona man back in action.
“He showed tremendous mentality, strength, to come back so early – and he looks fit,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“It was just great to see him with a blue shirt on again. As soon as he come on he was putting the ball in behind them and causing them problems.
“We have missed him, but we’ve got to be careful with him. When he’s on form he’s a top quality footballer.”
How much have the Toffees missed Gomes?
He’s been a big loss, certainly. There’s simply no-one in the Everton squad who can pass the ball and dictate the tempo of a game like Gomes can.
We saw that when he came on against Arsenal. His performance put his fellow central midfielders to shame really.
Ball is right, though. The club have to be careful with him, because you don’t want him suffering another setback shortly after this one.
But if he can stay fit and play regularly from now until the end of the season then the Toffees will be all the better for it.
In other Everton news, a Portuguese club are reportedly preparing to make a loan swoop for a Blues winger next season.