Four-cap England star told World Cup hopes ‘are dead’ without immediate transfer exit

There’s only one way Angel Gomes can salvage his dwindling hopes of a World Cup berth.

According to European football expert Andy Brassell, that method is by heading out the exit door in January.

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Excluding two Coupe de France matches against teams not even in the top and second tiers of French football, Gomes has logged just 55 minutes from eight fixtures for Marseille since November 25.

The midfielder, who only joined the Ligue 1 side last summer on a free transfer, was an unused substitute in Marseille’s latest fixture, which was a 3-0 loss at home against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Gomes’ lack of involvement against the Reds caught Brassell by surprise, but it served as further justification for why he believes the Englishman must look elsewhere in January.

Andy Brassell’s verdict on Angel Gomes

“Honestly, surprised to see him on the bench,” Brassell told talkSPORT.com.

“They’ve (Marseille) been shopping him around for a good month-and-a-half now, a while.

“So I know Angel Gomes will probably still have a thought of, well, if I get somewhere and play in the second half of the season, maybe I can be an outside bet for the England World Cup squad.

“Because I think that will really affect the last 10 days of this transfer market. The fact that there are players out there who know, ‘Right, I’ve got to move now, be it temporary or permanent, otherwise my World Cup hopes are dead.’

“And I think that will make players consider other options, continue taking wage cuts, go to clubs that they might not otherwise go to. So I think we could see a few interesting moves in there all across the continent.”

Premier League star’s brother could push Gomes out the door

If the lack of recent game time wasn’t enough of a concern for Gomes, then Marseille’s recent transfer activity should sound alarm bells.

The Ligue 1 side are on the brink of signing Quinten Timber, the twin brother of Arsenal star Jurrien.

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Worryingly for Gomes, Timber is a similar type of central midfielder, so his imminent arrival will only push the English ace further down the pecking order.

Brassell believed Marseille got the jump on several clubs by making a play for Timber in January rather than next summer when he would be out of contract as it emphasised manager Roberto De Zerbi‘s frustrations with his current midfield options, which includes Gomes.

“Roberto De Zerbi’s not been happy with his midfield for a while,” Brassell said.

“It surprises me he hasn’t gone for a more number ten-ish sort of player, because that is really what he feels is the missing point in the team. Maybe he just loves to collect these deeper-lying midfielders.

“But I think it’s also an indication that he’s not particularly happy with Angel Gomes, who started really well, but De Zerbi’s fallen out of love with him quite significantly since then.”

Timber won’t be the only midfielder joining Marseille this winter, as Arsenal prodigy Ethan Nwaneri is set to arrive on loan for the rest of the season.

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Nwaneri has not started a Premier League fixture this term, despite penning a new deal to stay with the Gunners until 2030 on the proviso he’d have guaranteed playing time.

Arsenal were initially reluctant to let Nwaneri leave on loan in January but thanks to players coming back from injury, the stance has softened.

The deal will not include a buy option, demonstrating Arsenal still believe Nwaneri to be part of their long-term plans.

Although Nwaneri operates in more attacking areas than Gomes, the teen’s imminent arrival along with Timber further heightens the urgency for the ex-Manchester United talent to seek a move.

Gomes already faces an uphill battle to add to his four England caps given how stocked Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel is for midfield options.

And with the World Cup only months away, Tuchel is zeroing in on who will make the plane.

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Unfortunately for Gomes, the fact none of his four caps came during Tuchel’s reign doesn’t exactly spell good news.

Gomes made his England debut on September 7 in 2024 when he came on late in England’s 2-0 win over Ireland.

He then started three days later when the Three Lions beat Finland and turned in an eye-catching display.