In an exclusive interview with Sambafoot, the Tottenham goalkeeper reveals all about his time at Spurs, PSG defender Alex and his feelings on the Julio Cesar affair.
You are now the third Tottenham goalkeeper. How do you live this phase of your career?
“This is not a simple situation because during the last 9 years I have played at a high level, I’ve played in Seleção. I know that it can happen in football. I continue to work hard every day. I hope that my situation will be resolved in the coming time. I want to play, regardless of the club, I am physically”.
Why haven’t you left Spurs in the past?
“I often tried to leave Tottenham, but has always kept from me going. I had several proposals but insufficient for the club. It’s very complicated. They want to recover the € 10 million they invested in me 5 years ago. It is not possible. I am ready to go to Germany (Hoffenheim). Hoffenheim wanted to buy me permanently but Tottenham blocked the move for financial questions. I always tried to leave, but Tottenham has never helped me.”
What is your relationship with the other goalkeepers at the club, Lloris and Bradley?
“Our relationship is very good, we never had the slightest problem together. With thekeepers, it is always easy, there are a lot of respect in the profession. I am now third goalkeeper because my teammates are better than me at the minute.”
What do you think of Hugo Lloris and his initial difficulties with Tottenham?
“I did not understand at first. The guardian of the French team comes and he does not play. I was surprised by the behavior of Tottenham. Lloris told me he wanted to change clubs. He told me that if he had known that I stayed, he would not come. He had a hard time. Lloris is a spectacular goalkeeper.”
How does André Villas-Boas work with you on a daily basis?
“Very little has changed. I had few opportunities with him. When the coach changes, you think positive things will happen to you. It has not been the case. The fact that he speaks Portuguese did not change anything for me. He couldn’t help me anymore, I regret it. I am part of the club’s history. When we played the quarterfinals of the Champions League, I was the goalkeeper. In two years since, I have hardly played.
You played for several years alongside PSV defender Alex, who currently plays for Paris Saint-German. Tell us a few words about this player?
“We played together for three years in the Netherlands. He is very quiet. Even the interviews, he does not like.” Laughs Gomes. “He is a fantastic person, a real talent. He’s older now, but he is a player of great quality, with lots of power. We formed a very good partnership with PSV. We played three Dutch championships and we even got to the semi-finals of the Champions League together. We contact each other by more messages, email, SMS today. He is a friend to me, a great player.”
Alex has not been called by Luiz Felipe Scolari, as he holds the defence of PSG with Thiago Silva. Do you find it fair?
“I think he deserved a new opportunity. But I think that in his position, the Seleção is already well served. I think, Alex deserved a new opportunity before, not necessarily now, it’s already too late. Mano Menezes, if had chosen last year for example, he would become part of the group with Scolari. It would not be fair to integrate him now, out of respect for the other defenders. But if we look at his features, yes he has the qualities to compete in the 2014 World Cup.”
Seleção goalkeeper Julio Cesar, is in a similar situation to yours, a few months before the World Cup in Brazil. Have you traded with him on his situation?
“Julio Cesar is upset by the situation. He needs to play to become the first choice to gain confidence. The QPR coach is the one who had rejected me at the time. I warned him. But he did not listen to me. I am sure he will find a way out in January to play.”
So what is next for Gomes? Do you leave Tottenham in January?
“Yes, I have two offers from Brazil. I have negotiated with Tottenham to go for free, so the possibility is high that I find my home country. I’m 32, I feel good, it is at this age that the career of a goalkeeper actually begins. If I find the competition in January, I still think my chances for World Cup 2014 are high.”
