On Sunday, Angel Gomes was one of the standout performers for England in its 3-1 victory against Finland. The win in the UEFA Nations League marked an important turnaround after a shocking 2-1 loss to Greece just days earlier.
England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, called up Gomes last month, having previously worked with him at the Under-21 level. The 24-year-old earned his third senior cap on Sunday, following his debut against the Republic of Ireland last month.
Gomes played a key role by threading an incisive pass to Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, who finished coolly to break the deadlock for the Three Lions.
Breaking records… again
Time has flown by for Angel Gomes, who is now positioning himself for a major move within Europe this summer. It’s been eight years since the former Manchester United academy graduate replaced Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford.
At the time, it was a symbolic moment. Gomes was just 16 years old, becoming United’s youngest debutant since Duncan Edwards in 1953. His potential was undeniable, but his journey since then hasn’t been straightforward.
Fast forward to 2024, and Gomes is back in the spotlight, breaking records once again. Last month, he became the first player to start for England whilst playing for a French team since Trevor Steven did so in 1992. While Steven’s international career faded soon after, Gomes’ breakthrough on the international scene signals an opposite trajectory.
The one that got away from Old Trafford
Gomes’ soccer journey has been anything but typical for an English talent. He came through Manchester United’s youth ranks as an attacking midfielder. Despite excelling at the Premier League 2 level, he couldn’t secure a regular spot in the senior team after debuting.
With time ticking on his contract, the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January 2020 further limited his chances of regular football in coming years. Gomes made the bold decision to leave his boyhood…
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Author : Abdullah Mamaniyat
Publish date : 2024-10-15 13:00:00
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