Angel Gomes is fortunate that he didn’t find playing as a holding midfielder as “boring” as Marcus Rashford did, or he might never have had the chance with England. The 24-year-old is the standout inclusion in the revamped Three Lions squad announced by interim manager Lee Carsley for the upcoming matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. Fans may recall Gomes as the diminutive No.10 who debuted for Manchester United in 2017, becoming their youngest debutant since Duncan Edwards before leaving on a free transfer three years later.

For those who follow Ligue 1 or the England Under-21s, Gomes has been redefined as a deep-lying playmaker, controlling the ball in front of the defense under the guidance of managers Paulo Fonseca and Carsley. He excelled in this role alongside Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, helping England win the Under-21 Euros last summer without conceding a single goal. Gomes has expressed his preference for playing as a No.6, finding it more engaging than his former attacking position, a sentiment contrary to Rashford’s view of the role.

Gomes shared, “I definitely enjoy it more. Although I was originally a No.10, I’ve always admired deep-lying midfielders like Xavi, Iniesta, Scholes, and Pirlo. I can appreciate what’s required in a deeper role because I’ve played further forward. I can distribute and help build play, which I genuinely enjoy.” He recalled a conversation with Rashford at St George’s Park where Rashford, surprisingly a No.6 in his youth, expressed his disinterest in the role’s lack of attacking opportunities, to which Gomes responded that if he had Rashford’s pace, he might share that sentiment.

Cristiano Ronaldo once encouraged a young Gomes to focus on scoring during training, but Gomes has always preferred assisting to goal-scoring. Now with Lille, Gomes, who joined Manchester United at age six and has Portuguese eligibility through his father, has found success as a playmaker. He values the precision of finding the perfect pass angle, a skill highlighted by Carsley, who emphasizes the importance of players with international success in his squad.

Gomes has had a successful stint at Lille, transitioning into the holding midfield role after trying various positions. Fonseca, now at AC Milan, played a crucial role in this transition, recognizing Gomes as the most intelligent player on his team. Despite a recent head injury scare, Gomes has become a regular starter at Lille. He acknowledges the challenge of gaining recognition in the Premier League-focused media landscape but remains focused on contributing to his team’s success. Thankfully, Carsley recognizes the potential and excitement Gomes brings to the squad.