It’s already been eight and a half years since Heurelho Gomes arrived in the Premier League, following his move from PSV to Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.
The goalkeeper built himself a solid career in England, staying at the White Hart Lane until 2013 and them moving to Watford on a free transfer.
He claims his adaptation was much easier due to his past European experience: “Depending on the league you go to in Europe, as I had the opportunity to play in Holland before coming to England, it makes things easier, even because you start to see the other leagues closely.
“The English league is very difficult, totally different from the others. There isn’t another league to be compared, in terms of game speed, of physique, the teams are very well prepared.”
On the game style, Gomes reckons even the small clubs have managed to play better football: “At the time I got here, it was a harder game, the small clubs played long balls, crossed balls to the box, especially. Today it’s more with the ball on the ground, a more worked game. It’s improving the Premier League everyday.
“The Premier League is certainly the best league in the world today.”
With a Watford contract running until 2018, Gomes is one of the very few Brazilian players who have succeeded in England. It’s quite rare to see him linked to a transfer back to Brazil, but most players in Europe make this move when their careers are coming to an end.
Seemingly happy at Watford, we’re probably going to see Gomes continue in England until at least the end of his contract.
