By Zach Lowy
Each McTominay and Antony have hit extraordinary heights since departing Manchester United this season – the previous profitable Serie A’s Most Worthwhile Participant after guiding Napoli to the league title, the latter spearheading Actual Betis to the UEFA Convention League Remaining. Nonetheless, they’re removed from the one gamers who’ve taken their recreation to a brand new stage after leaving the Theatre of Goals. Loads of former Crimson Devils like Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford have discovered a brand new lease on life since decamping to greener pastures, and one participant specifically might be in line for a Premier League return this summer season.
Born in Edmonton, England, Angel Gomes is the son of Angolan-born Portuguese youth worldwide Gil Gomes in addition to the godson of Manchester United legend Nani. Gomes joined United’s famend Carrington academy in 2006 and ascended by way of the ranks, ultimately changing Wayne Rooney for his debut on Might 21, 2017 and changing into the youngest participant since Duncan Edwards in 1953 to play for United.
That very same 12 months, Gomes gained the Jimmy Murphy Younger Participant of the Yr and steered England to victory within the FIFA U17 World Cup. Nonetheless, his slight 5’6” body brought about him to be missed by José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, prompting him to go away United in 2020 for Ligue 1 aspect Lille. Gomes was promptly loaned out to Portuguese outfit Boavista, the place he racked up six objectives and 6 assists (together with a shocking objective from the midway line vs. Moreirense) earlier than heading again to northern France.
While he wasn’t in a position to assist Lille retain their Ligue 1 title, he did handle 30 appearances throughout all competitions and win the 2021 Trophée des Champions. An attacking midfielder by commerce, Gomes was utilised with no consideration winger, a left winger, and a No. 10 in his debut marketing campaign in France and emerged as a invaluable affect sub, however underneath the watchful eye of Paulo Fonseca, he solidified a beginning spot in a extra central space. Forming a stalwart midfield trio alongside Benjamin André and André Gomes, Gomes impressed as a deep-lying playmaker, able to popping up in several areas and filtering passes between the strains for his teammates. Equally to the good Andrés Iniesta, Gomes used his largest query mark – small stature – as a advantage, along with his low centre of gravity enabling him to weasel out of strain and maintain the ball glued to his boot, earlier than chiseling out a possibility for his teammates.
After main Lille to a fifth-place end in 2022/23 (an enormous enchancment on their earlier Tenth-place end) and profitable the U21 Euros with England, Gomes swapped his No. 20 shirt for the No. 8, beforehand worn by Lille icons like Michel Bastos, Moussa Sow, Salomon Kalou, and Xeka. With nice energy comes nice duty, and Gomes did simply that by steering Les Dogues to a fourth-place end in 2023/24 and qualification to the UEFA Champions League. Gomes proved adept at maneuvering out of strain, continuously scanning the pitch and staying cautious of hazard earlier than manipulating his physique weight with the intention to dodge a sort out while remaining balanced. Nonetheless, he additionally confirmed off his incisiveness and killer finish product, ending because the joint-top help supplier in Ligue 1 and rating sixth for progressive passes accomplished in Ligue 1. Reinvented as a midfield architect, Gomes thrived at dropping between the centre backs and choosing up the ball in deeper areas, opening up his hips to obtain on the entrance foot and drawing in opposing gamers earlier than exploiting the press with ease.
“Angel is perhaps essentially the most clever participant I’ve in my staff,” said Fonseca, who departed in the summertime of 2024 and was changed by Bruno Génésio. “When we now have Angel nearer to the assault, when he performs between the strains, he’s extra decisive. He understands timing and area and his positioning modifications his intentions.”
The 2024/25 season hasn’t been fairly as variety to Gomes, who departed their Ligue 1 opener vs. Reims after being knocked unconscious, struggling a busted lip, and being carried off on a stretcher following a collision with Amadou Koné. While Koné was despatched off and suspended for 4 matches, Gomes remained in a jocular temper, joking that “somebody ought to remind him subsequent time to not bounce for a header.” He returned in time to make his debut for England’s senior staff, taking part in of their UEFA Nations League matches vs. Finland and Eire and changing into the primary participant to characterize England while employed by a French aspect since Trevor Steven in 1992. Gomes performed in every of Lille’s subsequent 9 league matches earlier than struggling a calf damage, ultimately returning to the aspect on January 10 for his first look in 61 days and coming off the bench in a goalless stalemate vs. Auxerre, earlier than taking part in 10 minutes vs. Strasbourg.
Gomes was then given a beginning alternative as an attacking midfielder in Lille’s 4-2-3-1 formation, opening his Champions League account in a 6-1 thrashing of Feyenoord, finishing 29 out of 31 passes (together with two key passes), and popping out on high in 4 out of 4 floor duels, earlier than exiting at halftime in a 4-1 win vs. Saint-Ètienne. He was an unused substitute for his or her subsequent three matches earlier than returning to the aspect on March 1, the place he lasted simply 45 minutes earlier than being changed by Ethan Mbappé. Little did he understand it, however that might be the 134th and ultimate look of his Lille profession. With Gomes displaying no indicators of renewing his contract, Génésio elected to drop him from the aspect for the ultimate three months of the marketing campaign en path to a fifth-place end.
It wasn’t the fairytale ending that he would have hoped for, however Gomes can nonetheless depart the Stade Pierre-Mauroy along with his head held excessive. Throughout his 4 years in France, he remodeled from a wonderkid to the actual deal, a participant who may impose himself on proceedings along with his elaborate disguised passes, his tenacious counter-pressing, and his intentionally executed dribbles out of the press. He developed a seamless chemistry with Jonathan David, who may also depart Lille on a free this summer season, and showcased an ingenuity and precision in retaining possession and advancing the ball ahead with telepathic accuracy, however he additionally confirmed his mettle out of possession when it comes to profitable again the ball and making essential interceptions.
Eight years after changing into the primary participant born within the 2000’s to play within the Premier League, Angel Gomes appears to be like set to return to the Premier League simply as he left it: on a free switch. Manchester United, West Ham, Everton have all registered curiosity within the English midfield maestro, while Tottenham Hotspur have additionally put out feelers for Gomes, who’s on monitor to grow to be the newest Lille participant to maneuver to England after Amadou Onana, Sven Botman, Carlos Baleba and Leny Yoro. He wanted to flee the blinding lights of the Premier League with the intention to flourish, however at 24 years of age, Gomes is lastly able to make his mark in England’s top-flight and problem for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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