Gomez hasn't been anywhere near the level he was at the start of last season though, whilst Matip has been in my view our best centre half this season.
Not to mention his use of the ball is a real asset too when he brings the ball out and passes through the lines.
Gomez' problem at the moment is Matip. Matip has upped his game massively pretty much ever since Gomez broke his leg/ankle vs Burnley. Gomez needs a run of games to get back into that high level of consistency but unfortunately for him Matip has, until he got injured, been first choice alongside Virgil with no questions asked. Matip then picked up the injury and it's come at a time where Gomez is again struggling with the odd strain and fitness issue. Time is on Gomez' side and I'm sure he will get that run of games this season to get back to that consistency he was showing. Maybe it's been a case of managing him very carefully because we can't afford to lose him over the next 6 weeks or so.
I think if Matip, Gomez and Lovren are all 100% fit and at their best then it's Gomez who is at the top of that pecking order, followed by Matip. But it's not a perfect world and that's not the case and as it stands, Matip is the one they need to overtake, just like it was Gomez up until his injury last season.
Think Virgil has been fairly inconsistent this season compared to the level he was showing last season, he's dived in a bit rash and been turned a bit too easily on occasions so for that reason I'd put Matip as our highest performing CB this season but Virgil is untouchable to be honest, even on a slightly off day you just can't afford to not have him on the pitch and that's the level Gomez should be aiming at reaching, where you are a shoe in even if you are showing a slight lack of consistency.
« Last Edit: Nov 17, 2019 01:16:19 am by 7-King Kenny-7 »
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