Angel Gomes confident of positive impact in England midfield after watching Euro 2024 from afar

Angel Gomes says he could see where he fits into England's midfield while watching their run to the final of Euro 2024.

England lost to Spain in the final under Gareth Southgate, and Gomes has been named in the seniors squad for the first time this month by Lee Carsley, who became interim manager after Southgate resigned.

The Lille midfielder was an integral part of Carsley’s England Under-21s squad when they won the European Championships by beating Spain in the final in 2023.

“I would like to say so,” Gomes replied, when asked whether watching Southgate’s seniors this summer gave him clarity over how he could help bolster the midfield.

“It is really difficult to play for England. With the [number] of players that are playing at a high level consistently, you have got to be on top of your game.”

Gomes rejected a contract extension offer in 2020 and opted instead to leave Manchester United in search of more game time, joining Lille. He spent his first season at the French club on loan in Portugal, the nation of his father, with Boavista.

“When I left [United], it was for the idea to better myself as a player and person, and I knew eventually I could create a pathway to be in the position I am in now,” he said.

“It was difficult, leaving the club I was at from six and heading into the unknown. From then, it has been an uphill trajectory but with a lot of difficulties and difficult moments but being in this position now makes it all worth it.”

Gomes is hoping to earn his senior international debut this month, in Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and Finland next Tuesday.

The 24-year-old said of Carsley: “He is a very fair coach, very honest, direct in his approach and he is very close to the squad. I think it helps as a player when a coach takes interest in a player not just on the pitch but off it also.”