A highlight reel of England's playing style at this summer's U21 European Championships is going viral, with 'first-phase midfielder' Angel Gomes earning a huge amount of praise for his performances.
The Three Lions will face tournament favourites Spain in Saturday's final after they recorded a 3-0 win over Israel at the Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, Georgia.
Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Cole Palmer and substitute Cameron Archer handed Lee Carsley's side a deserved place in this weekend's showpiece event.
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England have so far recorded wins over Portugal, Germany, Japan and the Czech Republic – and their easy-on-the-eye build-up play continues to frustrate opponents.
TikTok user senezizreview2, who says he's never seen an England team play in such a way, has stitched together a number of clips from various games throughout this summer's competition.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones showcased his excellent distribution in attacking phases throughout the video, while another crucial member of Carsley's side, Emile Smith Rowe, features heavily.
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But it's the performances of former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes that have really captured people's attention.
In fact, many United supporters are rueing the club's treatment of academy product Gomes, who decided to leave Old Trafford for more first-team opportunities in the summer of 2020.
A year earlier, former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly said Gomes wasn't physical enough for the Premier League but the 22-year-old has proved his doubters wrong at Ligue 1 side Lille.
He has also impressed on the international scene, with his performances from deep impressing many.
Here's how fans reacted to Gomes' cameo in the compilation.
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One said: "It's all Angel Gomes. Ain’t no coaching masterclass going on. They’ve got a little genius in midfield," while another wrote: "Out of all the youngsters that have left, Angel Gomes hurt me the most the kid has talent in abundance. Was always going to start operating from deep, at youth level was always 2-3 passes ahead of the game at all times."
A third commented: "Lee Carsley using Ángel Gomes as a deep-lying midfielder is something I love because it’s not how English coaches would traditionally use a player like him. Technical midfielders would often get moved further forward due to a strong focus on athleticism and physicality."
A fourth wrote: "Angel Gomes looks to be finally finding his feet, most of the first phase breaks are him just being a magician with the ball," while a fifth added: "Angel Gomes is exactly the profile united are missing in their midfield options."
Speaking to SPORTbible last year, Gomes spoke about his progression since joining Lille.
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"I think, physically, I'm at a different level than where I was at United," he said "I've played a lot of games now, so in terms of the demands of first-team football, I think I can cope in any league in the world. I back myself to go anywhere and be able to cope with the demands."
Gomes’ progress was rewarded in October 2021, when he received his first call up to the England U21 squad. He knows how important his decision to move away from Manchester helped in Lee Carsley’s decision to bring him into the international fold.
“It means a lot for me personally,” says Gomes on being called up. “With the talent we've got in this country, and around my age group, to get picked and be amongst it is massive."
He added: “I think getting more first team chances at Lille has helped. To be in with a shout anywhere, I think you've got to be playing. The move has helped me massively. If you look at the players that get called up, they're all playing and they're all doing well. It's the only way I could compete.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images - TikTok/senezizreview2Topics: Angel Gomes, England, Ligue 1, Lille, Manchester United, Premier League, Fan Reactions
