Why tenacious Gomes can dominate Sheff Utd's midfield

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be influential in Matchweek 26.

Player analysis - Joao Gomes (Wolves)

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Gomes showed that he is much more than just a top-class enforcer after he scored two superb goals in a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Heading home unmarked at a corner, before sprinting over 80 yards to net a classy winner from a Pedro Neto counter, the 23-year-old enjoyed an afternoon to remember for Wolves.

Gomes' first goal v Spurs

That strike was just his sixth shot of the entire campaign, so you would expect the bulk of Gomes’ work against Sheffield United on Sunday to be done inside the middle, an area he has impressed in throughout 2023/24 so far.

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Tenacious tackler

Gomes has earned a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most tenacious tacklers this season.

The Brazilian midfielder has won 43 of his 74 challenges, placing himself inside the league's top three for regaining possession in this manner.

His Wolves team-mate Mario Lemina is just one behind him, with compatriot and upcoming opponent, Vinicius Souza, leading the way on 56.

Most tackles won in PL 2023/24

Gomes has a natural appetite for flying into tackles, and he displayed that quality in abundance during the win at Spurs.

If he senses an opponent is holding onto the ball too long, or if he believes he can make up ground quickly to put in a challenge, Gomes does not hesitate.

As shown here with two fierce but extremely clean challenges on Emerson Royal, Gomes will sprint long distances to force a turnover-creating tackle.

His midfield battle with Vinicius Souza, the division’s most successful tackler, promises to be extremely competitive at Molineux.

But in truth, Gomes can overstep the mark on occasion.

He has made 41 fouls this season with only Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher producing more, with 54, so Gomes has to tread a fine line with his aggression.

Relentless pressure

A "pressure" is described as an action that sees a player closing down an opponent who is in possession.

In that aspect, Gomes is relentless in his thirst to shut down space.

Always on the move, happy to do much of his teams' dirty work, he is constantly looking to apply pressure all over the pitch.

His work sat in front of the back four in deep areas is especially impressive, with the aforementioned Vinicius Souza the only player to apply more pressures in that zone.

Joao Gomes rank for pressures 2023/24

Counter pressures are defined when a pressure begins within two second of the start of possession, and in this sense, Gomes is one of the best around.

He reacts quickly to situations, and under the instruction of head coach Gary O’Neil, he attempts to regain the ball as quickly as possible when it’s lost.

There is not another specialist Premier League defensive midfielder that provides as many counter pressures as Gomes.

Midfielders with most counter pressures 2023/24

Many of the same midfielders who lead the rankings for counter pressures also end up winning the highest amount of turnovers too, and unsurprisingly Gomes is among the most effective.

Midfielders with highest turnovers 2023/24

Gomes’ tigerish style of play rushes his direct opponents, and habitually forces errors.

If the Blades hold onto the ball too long, or take a bad touch, he will be on to them in a flash.

Next: Adrian Clarke on West Ham's poor run of form

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