Photo: TVSEI / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has praised Antonín Kinský's form during last season's run-in and expressed confidence in Roberto De Zerbi's impact at the club, speaking in a matchday programme interview ahead of Spurs' pre-season fixture against Hoffenheim.
"He had a tough game against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League," Gomes said of Kinský. "To concede the goals he did, to be substituted. That must have been so hard for him. But what a response he showed. He made some incredible saves in the run-in last season and he was just brilliant. Those saves he made against Leeds… wow!"
Gomes, who made 130 appearances for Spurs between 2008 and 2014, also spoke warmly of new head coach De Zerbi, revealing a personal connection to the Italian through a mutual friend. "De Zerbi and Sandro were together at Benevento as a head coach and a player," Gomes explained. "Sandro would say 'we have a manager here like you can't believe… he will become a top manager'."
On the club's prospects for the season ahead, Gomes was upbeat. "With this manager and the signings Spurs have made ahead of this season, it's all very exciting. The squad is stronger than last season and Spurs will be very competitive for sure."
Gomes joined Spurs from PSV Eindhoven in 2008 and was part of the side that secured the club's first-ever UEFA Champions League qualification in 2009/10, playing 42 matches in all competitions that campaign and 41 the following season, including 10 Champions League starts.
He recalled highlights of the 2010/11 Champions League run, including the famous win at AC Milan. "The AC Milan away game was incredible, with Peter Crouch's winner. We all know what a difficult place the San Siro is to go to," he said, also remembering Gareth Bale's hat-trick against Inter Milan as the night Bale "turned into the player that he became."
Gomes left Spurs for Watford in 2014 and retired from playing in 2021 after a spell with Democrata SL in Brazil. He is currently working as a football agent and is also involved in property development in southern Brazil.