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Gomez gets the message - as team-mates surprise him in Spanish

They have been reciprocating his efforts to learn English by chipping in with bits of Spanish.

But the Paraguay star knows exactly what the message is from Fabian Hurzeler in any language.

The head coach wants him to keep getting into the penalty area, be it from midfield or out wide.

Gomez pulled that off to perfection for his two goals in the 3-0 win over Leeds.

As he did for the ‘other’ two goals he scored in four-timer at Barnsley along with his two highlight-reel rockets.

Hurzeler wants to see more of that presence where it hurts as the former Inter Miami man times his runs and arrives late.

Gomez used the Spanish football slang “half a goal” to describe the service he got from Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter against Leeds

He told The Argus: “I always like to get into the penalty area.

“They were really nice goals for me because the coach always wants me to attack the box.

“Fortunately I was able to show this and they gave me half a goal.

“Georginio is a very important player for us because in every game he always shows us he is a different type of player. We try to help him as well.”

In the absence of Kaoru Mitoma, Hurzeler used Gomez left of centre but not exactly getting chalk on his boots.

It was a mirror image of the role from which he scored his four at Oakwell and one he could take again at Selhurst Park.

Asked about that widish role, he said: “The coach asked me to get into midfield a lot and I always try to do what he says.

“He said I could try to leave some space for Ferdi and we did it very well.”

Now comes the big test of looking to improve on the last two away games, which ended in defeat at Manchester United in the Premier League and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.

While there is no disgrace in going down at such venues, there is certainly disappointment.

Gomez said: “At the start against Leeds, we wanted to come out and look for that early goal.

“We enjoyed it and now keep working because the two games before did not show what we are .

“And what we are is a team who are looking to move forward.

“We have always been well, we didn’t get downhearted.

“We always behaved really well and I am really grateful to how they all always help me. Very happy.”

That help extends to some linguistic empathy.

Gomez might have arrived from the USA but it was a part of the USA where you can get by purely in Spanish.

He said: “I feel like I am adapting really well.

“All the team and everyone here are helping me adapt.

“I am learning English and I always try to listen to my team-mates and learn a bit quicker,  I think.

“I didn’t speak that much before but I understand pretty well and always try to communicate with them.

“But what surprises me a lot is that they try to talk to me in Spanish and that is really nice.

“Danny Welbeck (for example) – they always try to say something in Spanish.”

Might their paths, one wonders, cross at the World Cup finals?

Gomez is a certainty for Paraguay, injury permitting, and it seems Welbeck cannot be ruled out.

“Why not?” Gomez said. “I think he is a player who is very valuable here, a different player.

“A player with experience for us and I try to speak to him and learn from him.

“Hopefully they call him as well for the national team.”

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