Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp once said something about Aston Villa target Joe Gomez that will leave Unai Emery excited.
Aston Villa are in the market for another centre-back this summer as it’s a position they’re currently light on the ground.
Earlier this summer, Clement Lenglet returned to his parent club Barcelona, Tyrone Mings is recovering from his ACL injury and Diego Carlos is looking likely to leave.
On Friday, it was reported that West Ham were joined in a race with Fulham to sign the 31-year-old, who appeared 27 times in the Premier League last term.
Luckily, Unai Emery is ready for the eventuality he leaves, having placed Lutsharel Geertruida, Trevoh Chalobah and Liverpool’s Joe Gomez on his shortlist.
By far the most exciting prospect of that trio is Gomez, who would be an ‘ideal fit’ for Emery’s side, especially after Jurgen Klopp’s previous comments.
What Jurgen Klopp has said about Liverpool ace Joe Gomez
Although he didn’t always play a regular part in central defence under Klopp, he was still revered by the German during his time at Anfield.
Last term, he had arguably his best season in a Liverpool shirt, playing 32 times in the Premier League as a left-back, right-back and centre-back.
Such versatility saw him rise high in Klopp’s estimations, who previously explained to Gareth Southgate why he should be selected in the England squad.
Speaking most recently in March about the 27-year-old, via the Independent, Klopp said: “I am not standing here telling Gareth who he should pick but you can get one player and have four positions covered. Wonderful.
“If you play football at this level, there is [a big] difference between centre-half, full-back, right, left, to the number six – and he is capable of that transition in his mind.
“He is one of those stories. What a wonderful player he is and I am so happy he can show that again.”
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Joe Gomez can help Aston Villa improve set-piece record
Although Klopp described Gomez’s versatility as ‘wonderful’, which will be music to ears of Emery, it isn’t just his capacity to play multiple positions that will appeal to the Spaniard.
Last season, Villa struggled to defend set pieces as they conceded the fourth-most goals (16) from these situations in the Premier League. This placed them fifth bottom for this metric.
By contrast, Liverpool conceded just 10 goals and were the seventh-best team in the top flight at defending set-pieces.
Gomez – who ranks in the top 4% for aerial duels won across Europe – was a huge reason why Klopp’s defence were solid at defending dead balls.
With the aerial prowess of Gomez alongside the likes of Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres, Emery’s men would improve at defending these situations.
Further, to land a Champions League and Premier League-winning defender from a divisional rival would be an incredible coup, which is why getting a deal over the line could be difficult.
