Liverpool left-back Joe Gomez has been winning rave reviews so far this season, with his display away to Arsenal on Monday night the latest to turn heads. It is hard to believe that he is still just 18 years of age.
Opta-powered fantasy football game www.oulala.com took to the task of analyzing the youngster against four of the Premier League’s top left-backs. Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, Aleksandar Kolorov of Manchester City, Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and Nacho Monreal of Arsenal.
In the opening three Premier League games, the 18-year-old is outclassing his peers in every key defensive area.
Gomez has won more tackles (seven) than the others this season and also boasts the highest tackle success-rate of 58%. In comparison the other four left-backs are trailing. His closest rivals are Luke Shaw, who has won six tackles, however, at a success-rate of 46%, while Cesar Azpilicueta has enjoyed a 56% success-rate, but has won fewer tackles (five).
The youngster also excels for interceptions. He has won a total of nine in his three games. Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta sits one behind on eight.
Gomez leads the other four for blocks too, making a total of three this season. Both Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal and City’s Aleksandar Kolorov have made one fewer with two.
The Liverpool left-back is even leading the others for clearances, recording a total of 17 already this season. Aleksandar Kolorov is his closest challenger of the foursome with 15.
Liverpool racked up their third clean sheet from their opening three games against Arsenal, with Gomez instrumental in continuing the Reds’ 100% defensive record in the Premier League.
With Roy Hodgson delaying the announcement of his England squad due to injury doubts surrounding a selection of key players, Gomez will have another chance to impress the England manager at home to West Ham this weekend.
He may only be 18, but if he is good enough, Roy…
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
