I kept moving on and working hard- Andre Gomes

The Portuguese midfielder arrived from Barcelona on loan in the summer transfer window in 2018.

Everton’s summer signing, Andre Gomes opened up to the Liverpool Echo about his ill-fated time at the Camp Nou. The Portuguese is now content with his life at Goodison Park and feels like he can now move onto a happier phase of his life in the Premier League.

“Obviously, I didn't want to say everything I said,” said Gomes.

“At that moment, I was struggling a lot inside and sometimes the people who you are talking to help you to say what you want to say, and I think that was the case. I was struggling and I just said everything naturally," added the former Valencia man.

“I believe that there are a lot of players who feel the same and sometimes feel they can give but can't and don't have an explanation."

“It was more about that. I was struggling and I couldn't find a way to go out and enjoy the game, enjoy the fans, and after that I started to understand things a little bit more and enjoying football more.”

The central midfielder has taken to the Premier League like a fish to water, making 24 appearances for his side so far this season, scoring a belter of a first goal on the way. His calmness in the ball and assured passing has meant that the Toffees have a solid base in midfield upon which to build.

Just over a year ago, a tired and troubled Gomes poured his heart out to Panenka magazine about his troubles at Barcelona. However, a lot has changed in a year. It is evident that Gomes now has a new lease on life.

“Some people can may be confused and think that the football player is a weak person but it is nothing about that,” he added.

“Eveyone in their job can sometimes feel that when they are struggling. After the interview, I felt from the players that, maybe at some point in their lives, they had also felt that and it was normal. I kept moving on and working hard and, like I said, tried to enjoy my football and be happy. That is what I tried to do until the end of the season and what I am trying to do this season.”

His first Everton goal came against Wolves

The midfielder made his league debut and immediately felt the pace of the league during a packed festive period. However, the Portuguese hit it off with the staff at Everton who made him feel right at home in England.

“When I came here injured, the first person I spoke to from the club was Danny,” he said of Everton's Head of Therapy Services Danny Donachie.

“Since then we figured out that Phil Neville is a big friend of Danny and is a big friend of mine.

“Since then we have had a really good connection, he is a really amazing person and we spent time together.”.

“He was one of the first people I connected with.”

“Before I came here for the interview, I was speaking with him,” he continued.

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Gomes also highlighted the importance of Marco Silva in his move to Merseyside. The Everton manager was crucial in his decision to leave the Camp Nou.

“I think Marco helped a lot,” he explains.

“We spoke a few times and he tried to explain the way the club wants to go and how the team was at that moment. That helped a lot in me taking the opportunity to come here. Of course, I had other clubs (interested) but it was easier after speaking to Marco."

“I asked Lucas what it was like when he came here. I asked him about the training ground, the Academy, everything about the club."

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“It was totally different because I knew Lucas much better than Marco and I think everything helped but Marco had the crucial impact, I would say.”

“I have a few team-mates who don't speak English well and I can speak Portuguese, Brazilian and Spanish and so sometimes I can be the connection."