Gomes takes the plaudits after first England start
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Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 11:10 AM.
Former Manchester United player Angel Gomes shone brightly during his first full senior appearance for England in their 2-0 win against Finland at Wembley.
One of our valued youth team graduates came on for Kobbie Mainoo during the victory against the Republic of Ireland over the weekend. He then went on to start in the second UEFA Nations League match, giving our number 37 a chance to rest.
Angel made history as the youngest player to ever take the field for United when he came on for Wayne Rooney during a Premier League match against Crystal Palace in 2017. He continued to impress, earning a total of 10 appearances with the first team for the club he grew up supporting.
He moved to Lille in 2020, and after spending some time on loan at Boavista in Portugal, he has grown into a highly skilled player.
116 – Angel Gomes holds the unique distinction of being the only player recorded (since the 2008-09 season) to achieve more than 100 completed passes in his debut match for England (116 out of 124 attempts). Source: Guardian. pic.twitter.com/0GpbxNesJ1
Gomes has consistently participated in England's youth teams, and his previous Under-21 coach, Lee Carsley, strongly supports his evident skills.
The 24-year-old was a steady and reliable presence in the midfield on Tuesday night, successfully completing 116 out of 124 passes and guiding the flow of the game for the Three Lions. Although Harry Kane's two goals celebrated his 100th appearance and grabbed the spotlight, the former Red also received a lot of recognition for his performance.
"He absolutely earned it, and it's great that the level of play he showed today has been consistent over the past three to four years," Carsley said during his press conference. "It's crucial for him to continue putting in the effort, which I believe he will, and to keep competing in France because it’s a challenging team to break into."
Former England captain Stuart Pearce praised Gomes’s performance, calling it one of the most impressive first-time senior debuts he had witnessed. Ian Wright also expressed his excitement over Gomes's skill and his ability to always be in position to receive the ball. Roy Keane, another ITV pundit and ex-captain, concurred that Angel’s rise could create a challenging decision for Carsley when it comes to team selections in upcoming international matches.
Carsley mentioned the 2017 Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year’s unwavering commitment to the sport. He shared this in his United Unscripted article back in 2020, where he also talked about his connection with the popular former player, Nani.
"The interim England manager remarked, 'He's incredibly passionate about football. He's always watching games, is keen on tactics, and is familiar with all the players across different leagues.'"
If you request his input, be ready for him to share his thoughts on the session, how we plan to progress, or the roles involved.
"He'll contribute by sharing insights about the strategies he's used at other clubs or what he's experienced while facing different teams. Since he's currently playing in France, he has a unique perspective."
England's upcoming matches are just around the corner, as they prepare for more Nations League games scheduled for next month.
On October 10, the Euro 2024 finalist will host group leaders Greece at Wembley Stadium, followed by a trip to Finland three days afterward.
Everyone at the Academy will keep a close eye on his development with great pride.
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 11:10 AM.
