Andre Gomes has certainly won fans at Everton since arriving at the club on loan from Barcelona.
The Catalan club had spent some time trying to find a new home for the former Valencia player, with it becoming apparent he wasn’t going to play an important role at the Camp Nou.
Problems with fitness, form and pressure all combined to make an exit the only realistic route for Gomes, and his situation got so tough that he missed out on Portugal’s squad for the World Cup in Russia.
Things have been better since the player arrived at Everton, even if he’s had to battle to get to top fitness. Whereas Gomes had issues with fan support at Barcelona, at Everton he’s quickly become a fan favourite for his application both on and off the pitch.
Now there’s a setback.
Portugal’s FPF released a statement on Monday night saying Gomes has been sent back to his club after examinations by the national’s team’s medical staff revealed he isn’t fit enough to take part.
The statement reads: ‘The National Team is already concentrated in a hotel unit in Cascais. Andre Gomes considered is considered unavailable by the Health and Performance Unit of the FPF.
The National Team began this Monday the stage of preparation for the games against Italy and Poland. The players showed up at a hotel in Cascais where they will stay until next Thursday, the day of departure for Italy.
After analysing the tests carried out this Monday, the Health and Performance Unit of the FPF considered that the player Andre Gomes is not able to integrate the work of the National Team.’
