Angel Gomes: The Rising Star from Man United now shining at Lille and making his England debut

Having found success at Lille, Gomes has continued to shine on the field, catching the eye of interim manager Lee Carsley. He has now secured a spot in Carsley's lineup for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Gomes' impressive performances come on the heels of his crucial contributions to England's victories in the European Under-21 Championship last summer and the Under-17 World Cup in 2017.

"It's not something that I wanted," Gomes once said, reflecting on the weight of the "wonderkid" label. After leaving United for more opportunities, the player found his form in France, becoming an important first-team performer for Lille and earning his long-awaited England debut.

The Sporting News takes a look at his history as a player and what type of midfielder he is.

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Gomes is a professional footballer who plays for Lille in France's top division, Ligue 1. Before he moved to France, he was a product of Manchester United's academy and was highly regarded for his technical skills and creativity.

After limited first-team opportunities at United, Gomes moved to Lille in 2020 to further his career. He has nearly made 100 appearances for the club from northern France.

Angel Gomes, Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White & Tino Livramento have received their first England call-ups pic.twitter.com/vNeA0ZNMzZ

Gomes is known for his versatility and creativity when it comes to his style on the pitch.

While he's primarily played as an attacking midfielder, he has also at times been played out on the wing or slightly deeper in a central midfield role.

His playing style includes a wonderful ability to dribble, which coincides with his vision and decision-making. He can be particularly effective in tight spaces and has an eye for threading passes in build-up play. 

At Lille, he has developed into a more complete midfielder, often dropping back to help with defensive duties while still maintaining an attacking threat. 

*Stats correct as of September 7, 2024

Gomes was born in London, England, in the year 2000. He comes from a footballing family, with his father, Gil Gomes, being a former professional footballer who represented Benfica at a young age.

Gil then moved to England shortly after Gomes' birth where he played for a range of lower-league English sides such as Hyde United and Salford City.