Former Manchester United youngster reveals reasons for move to France

Twenty-four-year-old English midfielder Angel Gomes joined French Ligue Un side Lille in 2020 after spending fourteen years at Old Trafford, having joined the Red Devils as a six-year-old. Despite his lengthy affiliation with the club, he only played forty Premier League minutes before he searched for better opportunities.

Gomes was called up to the England national team roster for the September international matches as the Three Lions prepare to face Ireland and Finland in the Ten Nations League. His call-up underlines a rejuvenated career as Lille midfielder Gomes joins three other previously uncapped players on the first roster, who were called up by interim England manager Lee Carsley.

In the 2022/2023 season, Gomes played 36 games for Lille and contributed eight goals in that campaign before assisting eight times in 31 games last season. The performances earned him the call-up to the national team, and the player said he left Manchester United in order to better himself as a player and person, believing that the process would yield results.

“Being on the journey I went through, I knew eventually I’d be able to create a pathway to be in this position I’m in now. It was difficult leaving the club I was in since six and heading into the unknown really for me personally. From then on, it’s been an uphill trajectory, but also, with a lot of difficulties and difficult moments going through it. However, being in this position now makes it all worth it.” Gomes said.

Lee Carsley will be the first man aside from Gareth Southgate to manage an England game since September 2016. However, his synergy with a lot of the players he’s called up is believed to be a strength for the team, having coached about six of them at the U21s level last year.

On Tuesday, the FA revealed that three English players exited the England camp just days before the fixture away to the Republic of Ireland on Saturday (17:00 BST) before hosting Finland at Wembley on Tuesday (19:45)