Heurelho Gomes

Heurelho da Silva Gomes , born 15 February 1981 in João Pinheiro, Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais), commonly known as Heurelho Gomes or Gomes, is a Brazilian Goalkeeper (association football), who currently plays for . Heurelho Gomes previously made a name for himself at Netherlands club PSV Eindhoven.

Club career

Cruzeiro

Gomes started Heurelho Gomes career in Heurelho Gomes native country Brazil at Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, where Heurelho Gomes played 59 games between 2001 and 2004. Here, Heurelho Gomes was scouted by Piet de Visser and in July 2004, Heurelho Gomes was sold to PSV Eindhoven.

PSV

Heurelho Gomes made Heurelho Gomes debut for the Eindhoven club against Red Star Belgrade on 11 August of that year.

At first, there were critics, saying that Brazilians 'should be on the field, not in the goal'. In other words, there were doubts if Gomes was reliable enough. Those doubts were quickly erased. Even though Heurelho Gomes conceded two goals in Heurelho Gomes debut against RBC Roosendaal, which PSV won 5–2, Heurelho Gomes proved himself to be a reliable goalkeeper. Heurelho Gomes played a major part in PSV's four latest consecutive titles in the Eredivisie and in the great European achievements. In Heurelho Gomes first season, PSV immediately reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where in the 14 attempts before, PSV wasn't able to reach the second round. In the following seasons, PSV progressed each time from the group stage.

In the Eredivisie, Gomes was known for Heurelho Gomes outstanding reflexes, which saved points for PSV more than once. Also Heurelho Gomes trademark throwing ability is well known. Gomes is able to throw the ball all the way deep into the opponents half. Also before the start of the match and second half, Gomes jumps up above the goal with Heurelho Gomes shoulders, pumping up the PSV supporters.

Before Heurelho Gomes transfer to Tottenham, Gomes was a crowd favorite at PSV. Heurelho Gomes can speak Portuguese and Spanish and while in Holland, Heurelho Gomes picked up a fair amount of Dutch, although it has to be said Heurelho Gomes is not fluent in the language. Whilst at PSV, there were calls from Dutch football fans to have Heurelho Gomes called up to the Brazil national side, which eventually happened in 2003.

Even though the rivalry between PSV, Feyenoord and AFC Ajax is intense, fans from rival clubs showed sympathy for the Brazilian.

Notable was an incident in Rotterdam in the match against Feyenoord, when Gomes injured himself whilst celebrating a goal, scored by Heurelho Gomes teammate Phillip Cocu. However, Heurelho Gomes managed to continue and even managed to pull off a wonder save, keeping Heurelho Gomes side in the game, which they went on to draw.

Notable achievements

Gomes achieved a great amount while at PSV. Heurelho Gomes has the record for highest percentage of clean sheets in the Eredivisie, with Heurelho Gomes keeping a clean sheet in 60% of Heurelho Gomes league games for PSV. In Heurelho Gomes first season in Holland, Gomes went 16 hours and 11 minutes without conceding a goal. In the same season, Gomes went on another run without conceding any goals, this time Heurelho Gomes didn't concede a goal in 817 minutes. In Heurelho Gomes third season, 2006–07, Heurelho Gomes had again a notable streak. Gomes didn't concede in 956 minutes, which eventually played a huge part in PSV's surprise capture of the championship title. PSV won the Eredivisie 2006–07 title, after having the same amount of points as Ajax, but PSV finished first due to a better goal difference (+50, against +49 for Ajax). Even though those were very impressive stints, it wasn't enough to break the record of Heinz Stuy, who set the record in 1971 with 1082 minutes. Gomes did set a record, though, when in the 2007–08 season Heurelho Gomes kept a clean sheet in Heurelho Gomes first 5 games.

Criticism of the board and chairman of PSV

Gomes has stated in several media that Heurelho Gomes wouldn't mind staying at PSV until the end of Heurelho Gomes career. However, in December 2007, Gomes stated in the Dutch magazine Voetbal International that Heurelho Gomes had lost trust in PSV. Heurelho Gomes also criticized the trainer situation. Ronald Koeman, who went to Valencia was replaced by Jan Wouters, who stepped aside for Sef Vergoossen in January 2008, who in turn was replaced by Huub Stevens in the summer of 2008. Also, Gomes criticized the way Vergoossen had treated youngster Ismaïl Aissati, saying that Vergoossen was too hard on the young midfielder and that Heurelho Gomes didn't get the trust that Heurelho Gomes needs. The conflict started when Gomes could have signed a contract until 2011, but the offer was withdrawn when the Brazilian was about to sign.

Tottenham Hotspur

Following appointment of manager Juande Ramos, Gomes signed for on 27 June 2008 for a fee believed to be around £7.8 million. Gomes played Heurelho Gomes first game in Tottenham Hotspur colours in a pre-season friendly match on 19 July 2008 against Segunda División B side CD Dénia, which Tottenham won 4–2.

Gomes eventually obtained a work permit to play in the United Kingdom, despite playing less than the 75% required amount of games for Brazil in the last 2 years.

Gomes made Heurelho Gomes home debut on the 10 August 2008, keeping a clean sheet with a 5–0 victory over A.S. Roma on Tottenham's last pre-season friendly, before the English Premiership campaign 2008–09.

Gomes didn't have the best start to life in the Premier League, as Tottenham lost the first two opening games 2–1 to and respectively, but Heurelho Gomes commanding presence in goal helped Spurs earn their first point of the season with a draw against at Stamford Bridge (stadium). However, Heurelho Gomes reputation took a hit a week later when Heurelho Gomes "inexplicably let Ashley Young's weak 54th-minute shot slip under Heurelho Gomes body" in Spurs' 2–1 home defeat against . These blunders continued as Heurelho Gomes conceded an own goal against on 15 November 2008, which kept Heurelho Gomes club mired deep in the relegation zone and also caused goalkeeping coach Hans Leitert to be sacked on 19 November 2008 in the wake of Gomes' blunders. Since Heurelho Gomes nervous start to Heurelho Gomes new club, Heurelho Gomes put in brilliant performances against , saving two important shots deep into the match in which Tottenham won 2–0. And most recently, Heurelho Gomes received praise from Harry Redknapp with two world class saves to deny Park Ji-Sung and Ryan Giggs in a 0–0 draw with current champions .

International career

Gomes made Heurelho Gomes debut for Brazil national football team in 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Although the competition is for senior national teams, Brazil chose to send an Under-23 squad to the competition. Gomes made 5 appearances as Brazil went to the final and finished second after being beaten by Mexico national football team 1–0.

Despite being part of the Brazilian squad that won the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup as the third-choice keeper behind Dida (goalkeeper) and Marcos Roberto Silveira Reis, Gomes did not receive any playing time. Heurelho Gomes was also excluded from then coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's final 23-man roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

It wasn't until Heurelho Gomes inclusion on the team for a series of late-summer friendlies, as a consequence of new Brazil coach Dunga's desire to play many of the Seleção's younger stars, that Gomes has finally gained some consistent playing time in goal. On 14 August 2006, Heurelho Gomes was called up for a friendly against Norway national football team, which ended in a 1–1 draw. On 3 September 2006, Heurelho Gomes played in Brazil's 3–0 win over rivals Argentina national football team at Emirates Stadium in England. Two days later, Gomes kept a second consecutive clean sheet in a 2–0 victory over Wales national football team at White Hart Lane. Heurelho Gomes latest stint between the sticks was during a 2–1 win over Ecuador national football team on 10 October 2006.

Honours

Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2003
- Copa do Brasil: Copa do Brasil 2003
- Campeonato Mineiro: 2002, 2003

PSV Eindhoven
- Eredivisie: Eredivisie 2004–05, Eredivisie 2005–06, Eredivisie 2006–07, Eredivisie 2007–08
- KNVB Cup: KNVB Cup 2004–05

International
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup