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Barcelona: Is Celta’s Maxi Gómez the next ‘El Pistolero’?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

VIGO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Maximiliano 'Maxi' Gomez of Celta de Vigo celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between Celta de Vigo and Espanyol at Balaidos Stadium on February 11, 2018 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
VIGO, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Maximiliano 'Maxi' Gomez of Celta de Vigo celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the La Liga match between Celta de Vigo and Espanyol at Balaidos Stadium on February 11, 2018 in Vigo, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Maxi Gómez has already started making waves in European football

Uruguay has had great success in the last two decades in world football. The likes of Diego Forlán, Diego Godín, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez are some of the greatest footballers of all-time. This generation of players have done very well in the World Cup and the Copa América.

Between Suárez, Cavani and Godín, there are 336 caps and 109 goals between them. But it is time for the next generation of Uruguayan footballers to take over. The likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Torreira and Federico Valverde have already started to rise.

But arguably, the best player from Uruguay to make a breakthrough is 22-year old centre-forward Maxi Gómez. The youngster has been a revelation for Celta Vigo since joining from Defensor in a €4 million deal last season.

In his first season at the Balaídos, he made 36 appearances in the La Liga, pairing up with maverick Spanish winger Iago Aspas. The starlet scored a staggering 17 goals and provided 4 assists, ending as the 7th highest goalscorer in the Spanish top-flight.

This season, he has got off to a great start. In 10 appearances in the league, he has scored 6 goals and provided 4 assists. His best performance of the season came in the 2-0 home victory over Atlético Madrid. He also netted a brace in the 3-3 draw with Real Betis.

Maxi Gómez is the successor to Luis Suárez in the Uruguayan national team. But Barcelona could attempt to make him the successor to Suárez at club level. In fact, he would be a very good option to succeed the veteran forward at the Camp Nou.

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Gómez is a brilliant header of the ball, and possesses good pace for a player for a player of his size. He likes to play long aerial balls, much like Luis Suárez. The youngster is a very clinical finisher, and can draw fouls in dangerous positions. But his passing is not the best.

Of course, he could always improve his passing. If he does join, he will need time to form understandings with his teammates but once he strikes a partnership with his fellow attackers, Maxi Gómez has the potential to be absolutely lethal.

It will be very expensive to sign him. In fact, West Ham’s bid, which was in the region of €30 million, was rejected by Celta Vigo. But before the club can begin negotiations with Celta, Éric Abidal needs to begin talks with Gómez’s representatives.

He has attracted a lot of interest from some of Europe’s top clubs after his performances last season, and he needs to be convinced to move to Catalonia. Gómez will need to be content with a spot on the bench some time before getting regular first-team football.

Next. Sergi Palencia doing well on loan at Bordeaux. dark

But he is a very good option, perhaps more so than the likes of Timo Werner due to his Uruguayan footballing heritage and his suitability for the role.