Angel delight: Find out more about the rise of England's latest debutant

Angel Gomes always appeared destined for the top level. Perhaps the only surprise is the length of time it has taken him to gain his first Three Lions cap.

It was 21 May 2017, when the now 24 year old took to the field at Old Trafford as a substitute for Wayne Rooney with two minutes remaining in Manchester United’s final match of the Premier League season. It would be Rooney’s final appearance as a professional footballer.

For United’s youngest debutant since Duncan Edwards, it appeared to be a hugely significant moment. Now another has passed for the London-born and Salford-raised playmaker, who made his Three Lions debut against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.

 

Dreams really do come true! From Salford to making my international debut 🤍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t !! pic.twitter.com/U0nt13RkRD

— Santi Gomes (@agomes_47) September 7, 2024

Gomes is currently at Lille in Ligue 1 after leaving Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer of 2020. He had made just ten appearances in three years for his hometown club, but now he has been called up by Lee Carsley after proving himself as a standout performer across the Channel.

In an interview with the Athletic back in 2023, Gomes revealed he has had no regrets leaving England, a move which also included a season in Portugal with Boavista.

 

“I remember when I made the decision, I read a heap of messages and comments saying: ‘He left for money’,” he said. “It didn’t even make sense. The biggest thing for me was opportunity.”

“That final year at United was one of the hardest things I’ve done in football. Not really being involved, not knowing what’s going to be next. Seeing people doing well, training every week, but not really having opportunities to play. But then come the end of the week and there’s nothing for that. So it feels like you’re just wasting time.”

He has been busy making up for it. Gomes was part of the MU21s side that won the European Championship under Lee Carsley last summer, playing in every game as England lifted the trophy following a dramatic 1-0 final win over Spain.

This week has seen him involved with the senior squad for the first time, called up by his former pathway coach for this Nations League double-header.

At 5ft 6in, Gomes is currently playing as a No.10 for the French side but regularly drops back into Les Nordistes’ midfield.

Technically adroit and with the kind of creative flair that has always singled him out, Gomes’s ability to carve out chances has been a key element of Lille’s recent success.

His side finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season – behind PSG, Monaco and Brest – and have progressed through to the extended group stage of this season’s Champions League after beating Fenerbache and Slavia Prague in the qualifying rounds.

All of which means Gomes will have the chance to test himself against Europe’s finest in the coming months. It’s unlikely to be a task that fazes him.

The godson of former United and Portugal star, Nani, Gomes has been heaven sent for Lille. In the 2023-24 season, he provided eight assists, and averaged 0.21 assists per game – a figure which placed him in the top eight per cent of Ligue 1 midfielders.

“Angel is someone who does it week-in, week-out for a team out in France,” Carsley said.

“He is probably different to what we’ve seen in the past in terms of the central midfielder that is a little bit more physical, more robust.

“Angel is very technical, he controls the game with his skill and technique. He is very determined, has an excellent attitude, loves football and technically and tactically he is excellent.”

After spending the majority of his career outside of England, Gomes will be something of an unknown quantity for many supporters at Wembley on Tuesday when the Three Lions face Finland.

His quality, though, has never been in doubt.

You can read the full feature on Gomes in the official match programme for Tuesday’s game with Finland. Order a copy online here.