Andre Gomes has dismissed comparisons to former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta, claiming he will try his best to have similar influence at Goodison Park as the Spaniard did.
The Portugal international joined Everton on a permanent deal this summer after impressing during a season long loan from Barcelona last season, where he became a key component in Marco Silva’s team.
Brought back to Merseyside for just £22million, Gomes’ signing has shown that Everton have ambition and that they are prepared to spend money in order to progress as a football club.
Gomes’ style as a smooth operator in the middle of the park has naturally drawn comparisons to the last man to play in a similar way for Everton in fellow Iberian Arteta, who like Gomes, was much more of an artist than a worker for the Blues.
However Gomes was quick to dispel these comparisons, claiming that Arteta is a “legend” at Everton. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the 26-year old said:
He is a genius. A brilliant player.
He is a legend here at Everton. I can’t accept any comparison with him.
Gomes did though admit that he would try to emulate the way in which Arteta had influence over Everton while at Goodison Park, with the former Valencia and Barcelona man continuing:
I will do my best to have the same influence he did on that Everton team with my own style and I want to adapt to the system of the team to reach our goals.
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As a self-confessed Mikel Arteta fanboy, this is music to my ears. Arteta is one of the best players I have ever watched for Everton, and he isn’t often given enough credit by fans of other teams.
Gomes has made an excellent start to life with Everton, not just on the pitch but also with his first class attitude and relationship with the fan base. Crediting and respecting a modern icon is another great step in the right direction for the Portuguese star.
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