Gomez views Messi as a "killer" centre forward

By FOX SPORTS staff

Called up to the German national team for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan, Gomez is the only recognized centre forward in Joachim Low's squad.

The Germany coach admitted that the wealth of attacking midfielders at his disposal, including Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze and Marco Reus, has forced him to consider putting out a team without a striker.

However, Gomez told TZ that the center forward position was still very much a vital part of a team.

"Barcelona showed people how to do it. People say it is true that Barca play without centre forward - Lionel Messi is a brutal centre forward," Gomez stated.

"Each team needs such a killer. Whether that is small or large. Romario was also a small striker and was a killer."

The former Stuttgart man cited the importance of Messi's goals to Barcelona's fortunes and pointed out why he believed strikers would not be replaced by attacking-natured midfielders.

"Barca's system does not work when Messi does not score as many goals. Just as we have in the national team, many players who play similar. Mario Gotze, Marco Reus and Mesut Ozil, they are all small, lively players, but also shoot the goals, but not 70 in a season," Gomez said.

"The point is that there are few opportunities in top games. For this you need a striker who has the absolute will to achieve the goal."