http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footbal...-fast-lane.htmlBy Chris Bascombe
When Joe Gomez, Liverpool’s teenage defender, makes his Anfield debut on Monday night, it is not only those who have nurtured him towards the Premier League who should be applauding.
For the Football Association, Gomez could become a poster boy demonstrating how talent will thrive when patience and opportunity work in tandem. If ever there was proof of the wisdom of resisting the poachers offering status and wealth for players in their early teens – and how you should not have to head abroad to achieve your ambitions – Gomez is it.
'
Gomez, 18, could have left Charlton Athletic’s academy for the lavish promises of a Premier League academy soon after his 13th birthday. Chelsea signed two of his outstanding age group at youth level.
Instead, Gomez and his family ignored the ‘fast track’ and opted for the considered development road designed by Charlton’s academy manager Steve Avory and former director Paul Hart.
Charlton were naturally disappointed to lose Gomez to Liverpool in the summer, but a £3.5 million bid is more desirable than a lousy compensation fee when a prodigy joins the stockpile of players at a wealthier club.
“Joe was part of a very talented group at Charlton but, unfortunately for us, Chelsea came in for a couple of them – one left at 12 and another at 16,” said Avory.
“I’m sure Joe was attracting plenty of interest too, but he and his family were always very supportive and understanding of what we were trying to do at Charlton and he stuck with us. Parents who bring their youngsters to us are encouraged because they can see a pathway into the first team. It is not just something we say, our track record shows it to be true. So there is some pride when someone takes that path like Joe. Obviously the higher up you go to the Premier League, the tougher it is for the clubs to give youngsters their chance in the first team.”
For Avory – who has worked with Gomez since he joined Charlton’s Lewisham development centre as a nine-year-old – there is surprise at the speed of his promotion into the Liverpool team, but no shock at his response.
“Joe has always been someone who has thrived with a challenge,” said Avory. “He showed it last year for us. He was only in his second year of scholarship, part of the Under 21s, when [former manager] Bob Peeters called him up for pre-season. He was suitably impressed. He decided to give him his chance in the midweek games.
“On top of all the other great assets – outstanding pace and strength – what stands out is his mental strength. That’s what will be holding him in good stead at Liverpool because he is level-headed, conscientious and composed. He must get nervous but you don’t notice it. He handles possession well which is why he is coping with being used at left-back.
“I was surprised when I saw Brendan Rodgers was thinking of giving him his chance so soon, and even more surprised when I read it would be at left-back. I can’t recall him ever playing there much for us. But no one is surprised by how composed he looked. That’s how it has always been whenever he has been asked to step up a level. And the one thing I can guarantee with Joe is he’ll always stay grounded and never forget where he has come from.”
Charlton’s former academy director, Paul Hart, also recalls a player whose performances belied his age.
“He was an under-15 when we gave him his debut for the under-18s,” said Hart. “There are not many who do that. He’ll be a centre-half eventually but you can see his versatility already.
“He reminded me of Jonathan Woodgate, who I worked with at Leeds at the same age. Joe is probably a bit stronger physically than Jonathan was.
“The perfect footballer does not exist but you look at all the assets Joe has – pace, strength, comfortable with the ball at his feet. It is very easy to see he has all the attributes to be a top player.
“When Joe was 16 there was some disappointment from him we didn’t just immediately put him up to the under-21s. He’s someone who always wanted that extra challenge. When Liverpool bought him my first thought was how this would impact on his development. It wouldn’t have been good for him to still be playing under 21s. Credit to Brendan for putting him straight in there. So much of it is about giving these young English players the opportunity and it is so difficult at those top five clubs to get that chance. If other managers do not take the same approach, in future the England team may be made largely of Championship players.
“Joe’s a good kid from a good family. That’s been a big factor with Joe because he has always had the right people around him. That’s so important nowadays. There have always been big clubs looking at him and it can be hard to resist when you are 15 and 16 getting big offers, but he and his family always felt Charlton was the right place for him and they have been proven right. It’s great to see that rewarded.”
Gomez’s immediate promotion was also assisted by Rodgers’s appointment of former England Under 19 coach Sean O’Driscoll, who was regularly taking calls from Premier League managers regarding Gomez.
“He played against Germany in Düsseldorf for the under-19s – playing up an age group – and his composure struck me,” said O’Driscoll. “That doesn’t happen many times in football where you sit up and go ‘ooh’.
There are lots of good players out there but very few who make your back straighten. He was one. Brendan and numerous other managers asked me about Joe.
“When we reviewed that game against Germany, Joe’s performance at centre-back was the big stand out for me. He’s been terrific.”
Had Gomez not joined Liverpool he could have been playing against them on Monday. Bournemouth wanted him and also asked about the possibility of a loan once he moved to Anfield. Borussia Dortmund were also keen.
The former Charlton scholars who joined Chelsea – Kasey Palmer and Charlie Colkett – won the Uefa Youth League at Stamford Bridge last season and remain in their under-21s, exciting prospects waiting for their chance.
The call may eventually come from Jose Mourinho, but when they see Gomez making his Anfield bow they may ask themselves which pathway can truly be considered the fast track to the Premier League
