Diego Gomez proves the unglamorous art of box-crashing. Discover how this tenacious midfielder delivers vital goals despite perceived limitations.
Of all players to become a subtle standout so far this season, the player most likely to be picked by Fabian Hürzeler has been Paraguayan international Diego Gomez.
What does he bring to the side?
Gomez signed for the Seagulls last January and has since become a bit of a staple in the first team. The 25-year-old blew his name up after scoring an incredible four goals against Barnsley earlier in the season.
It wasn’t just the fact that he had scored four; they were all world-class goals!
The 35-yard strike took the goal of the evening, though; a powerful right-footed volley flew into the Barnsley side netting, and Gomez had a point to prove. Many Brighton fans have been confused by his presence in the first team.
Visually, he can appear very clunky and uneasy on the ball. Fans have criticised the decision to start him in games, but Hürzeler has still insisted.
What can be said for certain, he has improved. Hürzeler’s style suits him well. Half spaces, winning duals and consistently battling for the ball. As far as box-crashing goes, this is where he really does shine. Box-crashing midfielders are an art form.
Are box-crashing midfielders worth it?
There is a method to the madness, it seems. But they’re also not the most visually appealing. For example, the technical ability of a player like Yasin Ayari or Carlos Baleba is memorable. Players who are enjoyable to watch and whose quality is clear to see.
Box crashers are something slightly different. High intensity, work hard, and arrive late into the box. Gomez’s goalscoring ability is undeniable. 12 goals in all competitions, including international games, and a golden boot of the Carabao Cup! His goals are of high quality, and he strikes the ball very well.
Strong, powerful strikes, which he usually keeps on target. Most of these shots tend to be well placed in corners, often giving goalkeepers little chance.
His goal recently against Nottingham Forest was a powerful volley hammered into the far bottom corner, of a similar ilk to what we’ve seen before.
While he may not look like the most technical midfielder on the pitch, he is very productive. Efficiency is where these types of players prove themselves, and as we all know, the most important stat on the board is a goal.
While productive, Gomez does have his limitations. Not being heavily blessed with pace or technical prowess can often lead to bad games looking bad. If his tireless running is ineffective, his race has been run.
This can make him seem underutilised when on the right wing. If he isn’t occupying pockets and half spaces, Gomez has little chance of beating his man like a Yankuba Minteh or Kaoru Mitoma does.
He isn’t likely to be someone to take on his man to create a chance, but he would be the person to be in the right place at the right time on the other side.
Equally, his tenacity mitigates his limiting factors to being a strong personality on the pitch.
Because of Gomez’s goalscoring ability, he is a great candidate for the World Cup dark horses, and someone who could help lead Paraguay with his leadership qualities, mixed with his goalscoring ability.