Newcastle United transfer ‘target’ has always been destined for ‘unbelievable career’
Midfielder Angel Gomes recently made his full England debut
Former Newcastle United midfielder Nicky Butt has lavished praise on rumoured Magpies transfer target Angel Gomes.
Gomes, who previously played for Manchester United but went on to make a handful of appearances at Old Trafford before seeking first-team football in Ligue 1 with Lille, made his senior England debut in the recent UEFA Nations League match against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Just days later he played in England’s two-goal victory over Finland. It must said the level of opposition was not elite but Gomes slotted in nicely to the ‘new look’ England squad with Newcastle winger Anthony Gordo n also involved under Lee Carsley’s stewardship.
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Former Newcastle and Manchester United midfielder Butt expects the 24-year-old to continue his upward trajectory. He explained: “I think he can do better than some of the teams that will be in for him in the Premier League. The Spanish league is written all over for Angel. He could play in the Premier League easily. He could play for City tomorrow.”
He added: “When Angel left Man United (in 2020), I said to him ‘you’re going to go on and have an unbelievable career and I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up playing against Manchester United for Barcelona or Real Madrid in the next five, six, seven years’, because he was that good. And I’m not just saying that now that he’s made his England debut, I genuinely thought that a long time ago
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He could play in the Premier League easily. He could play for City tomorrow. But then you put him in at Man United at the minute and he’s got to have the legs to go through the centre of midfield where there’s a massive gap, people run through the Man United midfield like you wouldn’t believe. Then it’s a really difficult game for him.”
He finished by mentioning how he ‘knew’ about Gomes’ potential despite limited opportunities in Manchester: “But at that time when we needed somebody to come in from the youth team or be bought in, it was all about physicality. But you knew for a fact he was going to go on and have an unbelievable career wherever he went.”
The Greater Manchester-born midfielder is a mainstay in Lille’s midfield, registering eight assists in 31 league games last season. In the era of tactics, inverted wingers, flying full-backs, and general modern football, Gomes provides homage for lovers of the simple things; simple passes, a calm influence, and even a tucked-in shirt.
