Source: Team_Talk
Cesar deserves Brazil spot - Gomes
Heurelho Gomes insists Julio Cesar is Brazil's number one on merit, but the Spurs stopper is ready if he is called upon during the World Cup.[LNB] Inter Milan keeper Cesar injured his back during Brazil's penultimate warm-up match against Zimbabwe and may not be fit for the side's opening match against North Korea on Tuesday after missing their final friendly against Tanzania.[LNB]And although Gomes is ready to fill in for Cesar, the 29-year-old Tottenham keeper admits he would rather see the Inter ace between the posts.[LNB]"I hope I'm not needed because Julio deserves to play a World Cup," Gomes told The Times. [LNB]"Julio is the best 'keeper in the world, thanks to what he has done and thanks to what he has won. There are a lot of good goalkeepers, but not all of them win major competitions.[LNB]"I'm experienced enough to understand that Julio is No.1 but, if I'm needed, I'm ready. I don't consider myself to be in his shadow and people who follow me know what I have done for this opportunity. It's just part of my job, nothing special. [LNB]"Nobody thought I would play these two friendlies but I was ready to come in at these moments." [LNB]Meanwhile, Gomes has hit out at Spurs boss Harry Redknapp for dealing a severe blow to his confidence at White Hart Lane. [LNB]After taking the helm at the London club, one of Redknapp's first deeds as manager was to sign Carlo Cudicini from Chelsea. [LNB]And while Gomes has managed to retain his spot as first-choice keeper, he believes the boss should have shown more faith in him initially. [LNB]"When Tottenham signed me the media had no confidence in me," added Gomes. [LNB]"I was the first Brazilian goalkeeper to play in England and they came down on me hard. [LNB]"The coach, Juande Ramos, had confidence in me, but when he left the next guy signed another goalkeeper from Chelsea and my performances suffered. [LNB]"When you don't have the confidence of the people closest to you, your performance is affected. [LNB]"People who know me know what I can do, perhaps it's the ones who don't follow my progress who don't trust me. I'm here to do my best for the Brazilian team."
