Angel Gomes: The One That Got Away
In July 2017, 16-year-old Angel Gomes made his Manchester United debut, becoming the youngest player in Premier League history and, at the time, the only player born in the 2000s to make a Premier League appearance. Gomes became the youngest player to play for the Red Devils since Duncan Edwards in 1953, but in 2020 the London-born midfielder left on a free transfer for Lille (before joining Boavista on loan).
Since leaving Manchester, Gomes has adapted his game from an attacking midfielder to a deep-lying playmaker, as seen on his first start for England against Finland. Alongside Rice, he formed a solid midfield partnership and many Manchester United fans have praised Gomes, with some wanting a return.
Who Is Angel Gomes?
Football was part of Gomes’ life from an early age, especially after moving to Salford and becoming closer to his godfather, Luís Nani. He was said to be a massive inspiration to Gomes throughout his years in the Manchester United academy. Unfortunately, unlike his godfather, Angel Gomes only made 10 appearances for the Red Devils before departing for France, where he has now become a regular in the team.
More recently, he has been deployed deeper in the midfield in a double pivot for club and country. In the 2023 Under-21 European Championship, Gomes played a key role in Lee Carsley’s England side alongside Curtis Jones. Starting five of the six games in the competition, on the 8th of July he was part of the team that defeated Spain 1-0 to claim the championship. Carsley has since become the temporary England manager and called Gomes up to the squad on the first possible occasion. A substitute appearance against Ireland and 90 minutes against Finland have led to lots of excitement from fans around the country, but what makes him so special?
How Good Is Angel Gomes?
Gomes is a very versatile footballer: he can play as an attacking midfielder, a box-to-box player, or even a deep-lying playmaker. His composure on the ball and low centre of gravity allow him to turn away from opponents like they aren’t there; his first touch draws in defenders and leaves more space for the attackers ahead; and his weight of passing finds strikers perfectly so they can shoot in their stride. He is a special talent.
The screenshot above (credit here) shows Angel Gomes’ composure on the ball as well as his first touch. Benjamin André plays the ball into Gomes, who has his back to play, and trusts him to turn out despite the three players surrounding him. The former Manchester United player turns with his first touch and passes into the feet of an attacker. Not only does he showcase his quick play, but he takes three opposition players out of the game and creates a numerical advantage for his team.
Last season, Gomes played primarily as an advanced playmaker in a 4-2-3-1 system, as can be seen in the screenshot above (taken from here). He utilised the same skills but was able to showcase his creativity further up the pitch, registering more assists and goal contributions. Like the first image, this shows Angel Gomes receiving the ball in a small space surrounded by defenders and again he uses his first touch to draw players to him and create more space elsewhere.
Gomes receives the ball and turns quickly before the defenders can get tight to him, but his threat in that area draws in four defenders. As soon as he starts to turn, Jonathan David begins to make a run into the space left by the central defenders stepping up onto Gomes. Despite the little space and time, the English midfielder finds a pass into the stride of David, allowing him to shoot first time and lob the goalkeeper.
Angel Gomes has just one year left on his contract at Lille and is reportedly looking to return to his boyhood club, Manchester United. Christian Eriksen also looks set to depart the club at the end of the season and the 24-year-old could be the perfect replacement, but should he move back to Manchester?
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