This Sunday, during the evening, England and Angel Gomes imposed their supremacy in Finland (1-3). The Lille player, a newcomer to the Three Lions, delivered his first assist and won over the press across the Channel.
Some would tend to say that it is enough to accumulate stars to win each of your matches, others will be satisfied with the name Angel Gomes (24 years old). Defeated by Greece (1-2) during the past week, the Three Lions showed a completely different face this Sunday, launched by the midfielder resident of LOSC, author of his first decisive pass in the colors of England . This, distributed from the outside of the foot, offered a perfect opportunity for Jack Grealish to open the scoring. On the right track, it then returned to success (1-3) to the delight of the country’s press, some editions of which focused on their Mastiff.
“The ingredient England was missing under Gareth Southgate”here’s how The Mirror nicknamed Angel Gomes this Monday morning in an article written by Andy Dunn, his editor-in-chief. The latter is amused by the sudden emergence of this pocket midfielder, whose name the general public had not heard since his departure from Manchester United where he had been described as a prodigy in the making during his training. “If you had to run a search engine when Gomes was called up for his debut last month, you weren’t alone. After all, who watches Lille, week after week?he quips. He is not a player you see in commercials, not a renowned figure or a commercial phenomenon, but he is what the team needs. »
What is a need? If we refer to the Larousse, this famous dictionary that we all used when we were still cherubs, it is something considered necessary for existence. This would therefore be the case with Lille for the Three Lions. A thesis validated by the Daily Express who gave Angel Gomes a score of 8 this Sunday, following his team’s victory: “He is skilled in possession, links defense and attack and is capable of popping up with an elegant assist. This looks like exactly the kind of player England were missing during their run to the Euro 2024 final this summer.underlines the British media, which had anticipated its competitor’s angle from the final whistle.
“It’s a pass that would have made Pep Guardiola purr”
Let’s resume with dear Andy Dunn, who has not yet finished with his lyrical flights. The British journalist was enthusiastic about the gesture made by Angel Gomes, who offered a goal ball to Jack Grealish for the opener. This emotion is transcribed in the words used: “His assist was a thing of beauty. It was a short pass from Lionel Messi’s standard. It’s a pass that would have made Pep Guardiola purr”he writes.
What pleased, in addition to this sudden burst, was the desire of Bruno Genesio’s protégé who always wanted to play forward: “His first thought is to THINK forward. This is exactly what Gomes is doing. He gets the ball and looks to build momentum. The only time he didn’t do it, he conceded a chance to the locals. […] Gomes didn’t set Helsinki on fire, but he was a key part of a midfield that looked a little more balanced than against the Greeks last Thursday.concluded thus The Mirrorparticularly inspired by the English victory.
A little nuance
Embroiled in collective intoxication, the British press can count on The Guardian to temper. If its editorial team is fully satisfied, or almost, by the copies submitted by Angel Gomes, it wants to slow down the general excitement. “It was Gomes’ first assist in England, a moment of real quality, to calm him down and reassure him, convince him that he can be good at this level. The temptation is to conclude that this perfectly demonstrates his value to the Three Lions. But that’s not the casejudge its journalists. Because actually England have a lot of players who can do it. Jude Bellingham can do it. Just like Alexander-Arnold, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, James Maddison and others”they quote.
The media continues and explains. Expectations are about control, not mere brilliance. “You are not here to create viral content. You are here to be perfect. A hundred passes, and it doesn’t matter if no one remembers even one of them.”we insist across the Channel. It turns out that Gomes made exactly 100 passes in this match, completed 97 of them.”
You feel it coming and so do we. Point briefly mentioned by his colleagues from Mirror, The Guardian focuses on the three balls lost by Angel Gomes during the game. It is not the decisive pass which will allow him to settle permanently in the selection, but « the other 99 passesunderlines the British media. One of England’s biggest flaws is losing control of their matches because they get stuck and force their play. Their emotional composure abandons them […] This midfielder allows you to breathe and calm down. It seems disproportionate to pick one loose pass out of the 97 he completed without issue, but that’s the norm for this job.”with the English selection thus concludes The Guardianwhich is still waiting before igniting.
