Where is João Gomes, the midfielder who snubbed OL?

John Textor dreamed of it, but OL didn’t. This winter, the American businessman wanted Les Gones to get their hands on João Gomes, a promising young midfielder from Flamengo. To convince him, Bruno Cheyrou (responsible for the recruitment unit) had been sent to Brazil. But the French leader, who revealed that he had been following the player for a year and a half, obviously did not know how to find the right words and the right arguments. The new majority shareholder of Olympique Lyonnais therefore took over and wet the jersey to recruit the Brazilian and his club.

OL failed to convince him

With the carioca stable, it was not a problem. Textor, who knows Auriverde football perfectly since he owns the Botafogo club, and OL have multiplied the interesting offers. But the hardest part was to convince the player, who only wanted to join Wolverhampton, a club to which he had given his word and his priority. Despite Rhodanian advances, João Gomes declined the invitation. A blow for OL, who had bet everything on his arrival and who tried (unsuccessfully) to urgently find another midfielder.

To read
OL: John Textor’s surprising message to João Gomes

A news also difficult to cash for John Textor, who had personally invested in this file. “It was too late for João Gomes. All my attempts at persuasion (self-mockery) could not alter this young man’s sense of honor. He gave his word to Wolverhampton and he will not waver. I’m disappointed, but so impressed with a gracious young man with an incredible future. Good luck João”, he had launched on Twitter at the time when he still had an account. The OL page definitively turned, the native of Rio de Janeiro won his case since he joined Wolverhampton at the end of the transfer window.

An unforgettable first with the Wolves

“Wolves have secured the signing of highly-rated Brazilian midfielder João Gomes from Flamengo, subject to a work permit and international clearance. After a patient and determined recruitment process, Wolves have completed the sixth acquisition of Julen Lopetegui, from the January transfer window. Gomes landed in England on Sunday, before completing his presentations and medical tests, and put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months’, could we read on the press release. Before that, the player and his club trolled OL by posting a video with the hashtag #FreeJoaoGomes, which appeared when OL wanted to steal him from the English.

A good war. Ready to take the plunge in Europe after a successful stint at Flamengo (4 goals, 122 games), João Gomes then experienced a sacred baptism of fire. On February 11, he entered twenty minutes against Southampton. With his team trailing 1-0 and down to 10 following Mario Lemina’s dismissal in the 43rd minute, the Brazilian was decisive. “Twenty-six minutes (including added time), 19 touches, 11 assists (eight completed), one tackle, seven duels (two won), two shots and a brilliant goal later, Wolves had won 2-1 with the young Brazilian in the lead”had written The Athletic after its successful premiere.

The press follows him closely

The British media had added: “His hero status among Wolves fans reaches even greater heights. It was a perfect start to Gomes’ career at Molineux and the Wolves bosses, who secured the midfielder’s signature despite interest from Lyon, have high expectations for the player. The Athletic also appreciated its impact: “He immediately showed aggression in pressing, which earned him his nickname of “Pitbull” at Flamengo.” Like the press, his teammates, including Ruben Neves, were charmed. “I’m really happy for João. He made a dream debut.” The sequel was a little less idyllic since it continued with two new entries into the game.

The first, on February 18 against Bournemouth (1-0 defeat). The second, on March 1 against Liverpool (2-0 defeat). This time, he could not be decisive for his people, he who is a young apprentice player who is discovering the Old Continent. Despite everything, his case arouses the curiosity of Premier League followers, including Salim Baungally. Journalist for RMC Sports and specialist in English football, he explains to us: “On his first three games, we don’t have so much to say even if we see that technically, there is a little something extra in his ball technique. So, it may seem silly said like that, but we can see that not everyone has their own ball handling. He is rather the case.”

He was selected with the Seleção

He pursues : “he likes to tease the ball and he is good at his ball handling. It’s precious. His typing quality is far from ridiculous too. On the offensive line, Wolverhampton have basic players. This is where it is not easy for him, since even if he is a midfielder, he often enters to play very high, almost as a second striker. When you have a Diego Costa or others, it’s not easy to find a place in the sun. Lopetegui will have choices to make. Gomes was invaluable against Southampton with a key goal as he had netted the winning goal in the retention race. It is with this kind of entry today where it is going to be important. Today, he cannot hope to be a starter. But, it can bring. He plays for others.

The 21-year-old will therefore have to be patient before he has his chance as a starter, although the fans are demanding that he be. Julen Lopetegui takes his time with an element which continues its beautiful rise. On March 3, he was also selected in the list of the A team of Brazil. A great pride for the community, which has thanked God on many occasions for all the good things that happen to it. However, all is not perfect for the Wolves rookie, who had an astonishing misadventure. On March 4, his former club made a mistake when paying him the money he owed him. Flamengo transferred the sum of 287,000 euros to another João Gomes, former basketball player of the carioca team. Eventually, everything went back to normal. So no cloud on the horizon for a João Gomes who had a crazy month.