The lowdown on Diego Gomez

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Richie Mills

2025-01-19T06:00+00:00

Diego Gomez. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Brighton can expect a “dynamic” box-to-box midfielder with a “bright future” in new signing Diego Gomez.

That is according to Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman, who believes the 21-year-old has much to offer Albion after joining them from Inter Miami in early January.

The Paraguay international scored six goals, created seven assists in 28 games for the Major League Soccer team last season, and has had the privilege of playing alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

“Brighton can expect a young, dynamic, box-to-box midfielder who has good pace, is effective at winning balls, and progressing the ball from midfield into dangerous scoring positions,” said Kaufman.

“He is energetic, clever in possession, has a strong shot, and can be a handful for defenders. Gomez is also mature for his age, having captained the Paraguay Olympic team at Paris 2024.”

Diego Gomez made 40 appearances for Inter Miami, scoring seven goals. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

While Kaufman adds that Gomez’s best position is in the number eight role or in a double midfield pivot, he also played as a left winger for Miami in 2024.

Against other midfielders in the 2024 MLS season, Gomez was in the top ten per cent for tackles made, blocks, touches in the opposition’s box, through balls, goal-creating actions, dribblers challenged, and carries into the area.

As former Miami head coach Gerardo Martino put it, Gomez is now a much-improved player from the one the Herons signed from Club Libertad in July 2023.

Last August, he told The Athletic, “The Diego Gomez from last July is nothing compared to the Diego Gomez from today. What he needed was to open himself up to the world.

“It would’ve been much more difficult for him to go from Libertad to Brighton rather than from Inter Miami to Brighton. He needed to leave his comfort zone, his people who have taken care of him and supported him.”

Martino added, “I believe it’s [Brighton] the right team and the right league [Premier League] for Diego. If I had to choose a better alternative for him I don’t think I’d have one. Brighton have a new manager. He’s young and I think all those things will be good for Diego.”

Diego hitting the grass for the first time! 😍💫 pic.twitter.com/MjRogT4N96
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 3, 2025

Gomez, who helped Miami win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the 2024 Supporters' Shield, is now waiting for his chance with Fabian Hurzerler’s men.

While the youngster – who played alongside compatriot Julio Enciso at Libertad - can improve parts of his game, Albion have an exciting talent on their hands.

Kaufman said, “He can work on his aerial game and decision-making, which will likely come with more time, as he is quite young. It is a big step from the MLS to the Premier League but he is a promising talent, albeit a shy one.

“Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba took centre stage at Miami but he will be remembered as a very talented, promising young player with a bright future.”