Manchester United could face a challenge to keep one of their most exciting young talents at Old Trafford by an arch rival from the Premier League.
During Manchester United’s pre-season tour in China, there was one player on the fans’ lips; Angel Gomes. The diminutive attacking midfielder danced around the pitch with exquisite confidence. He glided past players with ease. He looked the real deal. The kind of deal in the same mould as the famous names who came before him. You know the ones, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and so on and so forth.
Unearthing a gem emerging from the academy is the ultimate fairy tale in football. It is what every fan loves to see.
And Angel Gomes certainly had that special ability. His oozes confidence and his ability to move lithely with the ball and perform incredible dribbles made him a rare talent.
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There is a reason why the youngster became the youngest player to make his league debut since Duncan Edwards at just 17 years of age almost three years ago. He then went onto lift the U17 World Cup with England.
Things haven’t quite clicked into gear for Angel Gomes since then, but the summer and United’s pre-season tour seemed like a transformative moment for the 19 year old.
Unfortunately it never came to be.
Despite the youngster being a standout performer his performances were not enough to merit him a regular place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s first team squad when the Premier League season commenced.
Instead Angel Gomes has found himself having to move down to the club’s U23 side for yet another season.
The 19 year old was a standout performer in the Premier League Two division and he has clearly surpassed that level.
Gomes has impressed during cameo performances for the first team in less significant games in the Europa League and the FA Cup this season.
However those cameos were not enough to give him a fair chance.
Now with his contract set to run out in the summer, the Red Devils are in a predicament.
Angel Gomes wants regular first team football and he is clearly not guaranteed that at the club.
It is that situation which the club’s arch rivals, Chelsea, are hoping to exploit.
According to the Metro via the Daily Mail, Chelsea are interested in bringing Angel Gomes to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Frank Lampard has certainly given more opportunities to youngsters this season and that could be a huge lure for Gomes.
United may rue not giving Gomes a proper chance. Only time will tell.
Would you be sad to see Angel Gomes leave United?