Micah Richards has showered the ultimate praise on the talented Angel Gomes after the former Manchester United player’s rising success for Lille and England.
Angel Gomes was part of the Manchester United youth academy and went on to make 10 first-team appearances for the Red Devils.
The 24-year-old former United midfielder was unable to establish himself as a regular in the senior team and left Old Trafford in 2020 on a free.
Gomes completed a move to Ligue 1 outfit Lille and was initially loaned out to Portuguese side Boavista before he returned to the French club.
The Lille star has found success in France’s top-flight league after undergoing a position change, with Gomes taking up a more central role in midfield.
Gomes has netted nine times and registered 19 assists in his 123 appearances for Lille and has seen his stock value rise with his successful spell.
Richards on ex-Man Utd talent Gomes
Angel Gomes’ superb emergence caught the eye of England interim manager Lee Carsley, who called the former Manchester United talent up to the senior squad.
The England international made his Three Lions debut in the 2-0 Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland in September.
Gomes, who has been capped three times for England, picked up his first assist for his country in the 3-1 win over Finland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Micah Richards insisted that Gomes has become “one of the best players in Ligue 1” after he was “moulded” into his new role at Lille.
“He got a load of assists last season,” he said on the podcast.
“I remember after one of the European nights, I did mention him. He’s silky on the ball. What people don’t understand, he was never a holding midfielder.
“When he was at Man United, he was a winger or forward midfielder, and now he has sort of been moulded into this role.
“In the French league, he is one of the best players in Ligue 1, without a doubt. In international football, he looks calm and composed.”
Former Man Utd player Gomes on his position
Gomes has been linked with a sensational return to Old Trafford next summer, with his current contract with Lille set to expire in 2025.
The England and Lille star has previously claimed that he is able to “operate in all three roles” in midfield, with Gomes insisting that he is “confident” in his role.
“I would like to say I am just a midfielder,” Gomes told The Athletic.
“I can operate in all three roles: I can play as the deep-lying midfielder, I can play as a No 8, I can play as a No 10.
“I just love to play in the midfield and be able to distribute and help the team play in all different areas of the pitch.
“I am confident. I like keeping the ball, I like taking responsibility.”
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