“A lie told often enough
becomes the truth.”
Vladimir Lenin
The former Russian leader had a point, you tell a tall story often enough and, sooner or later, it becomes seen as something approaching the truth. Not bona fide truth, more like urban myth and legend.
It becomes something so woven into the fabric of the everyday that it cannot be easily distinguished from the truth. Societally, that’s the case; in football, it is no different.
‘Interest’ in a player is mentioned, a ripple begins, social media fans the flames and, before you know it, the player is about to put pen to paper when the window opens – keep a hold of your hats folks.
That’s what has happened at Leeds United, ‘interest’ has been mentioned, the ripple is spreading and now the story has beached itself into the regional press. Apparently Leeds United have almost sealed a deal to land Alaves winger Ibai Gomez.
Ibai Gomez? Might as well be Ee Bah Gomez for all that it is likely worth. But, yes, the ‘urban myth dynamic’ has been kickstarted and the rolling stone is trundling, the hope being that it avoids moss. Yet, who is Ibai Gomez?
Ibai Gomez – Alaves
Gomez played under Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao, featuring for the now Leeds United manager in 75 games, across two seasons (2011/12 and 2012/13), and in all competitions.
In the 2011/12 season, Gomez featured in 29 games, 19 in La Liga, and was most productive (two goals/two assists) in that season’s Europa League – scoring against FC Schalke 04 and Sporting CP.
The following season, he was a more potent force in Bielsa’s Bilbao side, featuring in 35 La Liga games where he scored four goals and provided nine assists.
This season, the 2018/19 campaign, the now 28-year-old has played nine games in La Liga for Alaves, scoring three goals and adding one assist. Really though, Leeds United are interested – I mean really?
Likelihood of that being true? I’d put that firmly in the ‘highly unlikely’ category to be honest. In a way, any player that’s EVER played under Marcelo Bielsa becomes an easy target for an even easier link to Leeds United – Gomez is no different in that respect.
