Idris Kanu, Angel Gomes...these kids' names sound like regens in FM. 
Angel Gomes
- Thread starter khoazany
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I think he meant Buffonge, not Gomes.
That really wasn't the case. Morrison wasn't a selfish footballer. He was very much a team player. He was just so good that he could fit moments of crazy skill into games pretty naturally. Really can't wait to see more for Gomes if he's being considered in the same bracket.
What's the correct pronunciation of his first name? I keep hearing Angel or Ang-hel.
It's not an English name, he's of Portugese origin, so it's the latter.
I'm pretty sure he goes by the English pronounciation of Angel
Always assumed this was the case.
But yes, I keep hearing the English pronunciation.
His dad was good as a youth for Portugal, but then failed to make it beyond lower league football.
That might be why the lad isn't resting on his laurels
That might be why the lad isn't resting on his laurels
He has great technical ability, just hope he can keep a level head and continue to work hard.
St.Michaels in North London.
Paddys raving about him.
Angel Gomes: A Rare Talent Generating Huge Excitement at Manchester United
Angel Gomes has been on fire for Manchester United's under-18s. The former captain of England's under-16s, the teenager has made three starts and a substitute appearance at youth level this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists.
Numbers like that are bound to attract attention, but Gomes' performances would have been drawing plaudits even without that level of end product. He has just turned 16, having been born—and for those of a certain age, this could be tough to hear—on August 31, 2000.
Regular United youth-team watcher Doron Salomon said: "He's so young. That's the thing I've still not quite got my head around. He's always the youngest in his age group, and yet you'd have no idea apart from the fact he looks small."
Being the standout star in an under-18 side having only been 16 for a few days is some achievement, and should the fast track he is on continue, he could be set for a meteoric rise.
So what does Gomes have which makes him such an exciting prospect?
Salomon added: "Obviously his close control, technique, dribbling and skill set is of an extremely high level, but for me the most impressive thing is how brave he is. We're only a few games into the new under-18 season, and already he's getting targeted by opposition sides who just want to kick lumps out of him. He gets up every time and brushes it off."
In this first clip, we see evidence of this. United's youngsters were up against Middlesbrough's under-18s and the game was evenly matched at 1-1 after 50 minutes.
By the time the final whistle blew, it was 5-1 to United, and it is easy to see why Boro's confidence collapsed when Gomes' cross found on-trial Idris Kanu for the Red Devils' second goal.
It was not the cross — which was decent — or the simple finish that did the damage. Rather it was Gomes' truly remarkable ball control, and his ability to turn that into end product, which opened the floodgates.
He receives a pass fizzed into him in a pretty standard No. 10 position, a little over to the left. He has his back to goal, takes one step forward—towards his own goal—then immediately attempts a Cruyff turn between two Boro defenders.
One of them gets a small touch on the ball, but Gomes is quickest to react and while he is a couple of yards further downfield than he would have been had the turn worked, he nonetheless has the ball at his feet and is facing goal.
He is forced outside by Boro's defence—holding off a physical challenge, having his ankles clipped, but keeping his feet and the ball. Then, like peak Andres Iniesta or, whisper it, Lionel Messi, he drives back inside and spreads a pass out to the right.
At this point, United have successfully created an overload as Gomeshas occupied the specific physical attention of four players and the mental attention of several more, which leaves space available on the right. Rather than trying to continue his run for the sake of personal glory, the teenager finds DJ Buffonge and runs into space in the box.
It is poor defending on Boro's part that no one picks up his run, but it shows an excellent awareness of space on Gomes' part. He receives the return pass from Buffonge, fires a right-footed cross low to the back post and Kanu taps in.
Playing with players considerably older than him, the then-15-year-old Gomes made an enormous, tangible difference on that passage of play and thus the game.
Salomon noted Gomes' increasing influence: "It's one thing having the technical qualities he does, but it's another to execute them. I think that's one of the most obvious developments I've seen in him over the last six to nine months, he's now really influencing games by picking the right passes, dictating the tempo and his movement is superb."
Below is an example of him picking the right pass. This was the opener in United's game with Boro, and Gomes found Indy Boonen with a scooped, curved pass with the outside of his right boot—the “wrong” foot to use for this pass. It is an example of some fine No. 10 play; something he definitely has in his locker.
Not that his position is definitively set. Salomon added: "It's hard to know what role he might end up in. He's not a traditional No. 10 or wide player; I think he's a bit like David Silva in that he's best given the freedom to float around and find pockets of space."
The first clip shown was an example of his effectiveness as a hybrid wide-man/No. 10, the second was pure No. 10 work, and the clip below shows how good he can be on the wing.
United are 2-0 down to Liverpool when Gomes receives the ball in a touchline-hugging spot on the left, in a little more space than the opposition defence would have liked. He immediately injects a change of pace into the move, accelerating with the ball at his feet, forcing the defence to back off him and creating a burst of potential and excitement.
His technique and running style is excellent here, but what is really impressive—as with the outside-of-the-boot pass above—is his awareness.
The moment he picks up the ball, his eyes dart infield where he can spot Boonen's run. He has his head up again when Boonen points signifying his intent to break behind the defenders. Tahith Chong puts himself into a position to offer a one-two with Gomes but is used as a decoy instead.
The moment at which it looks like Gomes is going to play the ball to Chong is the moment he instead slips the pass through to Boonen. Boonen finishes and United get back into the game, though they were unable to equalise.
As well as his impressive all-round contributions for the under-18s so far this season, Gomes also notched a historic hat-trick against Everton.
According to the club's official website: "The Englishman, who has now turned 16, was 15 years, 11 months and 29 days old at the time of the match against Everton, making him just the third 15-year-old in the club’s history to score a hat-trick for the Academy."
That the other two players to do so were Ramon Calliste and Alex Notman is, of course, ample proof that those who excel as youngsters do not necessarily emerge into the elite levels of professional football as a result.
There really are no guarantees of future success. However, at 16, Gomes is a rare talent. The excitement around him is clearly justified by his performances on the pitch. The output has been impressive, the manner of the output even more so.
In a couple of years' time, Jose Mourinho might have yet another young talent testing his reputation as a manager not inclined to give youth a chance.
If Gomes' development continues at its current rate, he might not give his manager much of a choice.
Article here.
Angel Gomes has been on fire for Manchester United's under-18s. The former captain of England's under-16s, the teenager has made three starts and a substitute appearance at youth level this season, scoring four goals and providing three assists.
Numbers like that are bound to attract attention, but Gomes' performances would have been drawing plaudits even without that level of end product. He has just turned 16, having been born—and for those of a certain age, this could be tough to hear—on August 31, 2000.
Regular United youth-team watcher Doron Salomon said: "He's so young. That's the thing I've still not quite got my head around. He's always the youngest in his age group, and yet you'd have no idea apart from the fact he looks small."
Being the standout star in an under-18 side having only been 16 for a few days is some achievement, and should the fast track he is on continue, he could be set for a meteoric rise.
So what does Gomes have which makes him such an exciting prospect?
Salomon added: "Obviously his close control, technique, dribbling and skill set is of an extremely high level, but for me the most impressive thing is how brave he is. We're only a few games into the new under-18 season, and already he's getting targeted by opposition sides who just want to kick lumps out of him. He gets up every time and brushes it off."
In this first clip, we see evidence of this. United's youngsters were up against Middlesbrough's under-18s and the game was evenly matched at 1-1 after 50 minutes.
By the time the final whistle blew, it was 5-1 to United, and it is easy to see why Boro's confidence collapsed when Gomes' cross found on-trial Idris Kanu for the Red Devils' second goal.
It was not the cross — which was decent — or the simple finish that did the damage. Rather it was Gomes' truly remarkable ball control, and his ability to turn that into end product, which opened the floodgates.
He receives a pass fizzed into him in a pretty standard No. 10 position, a little over to the left. He has his back to goal, takes one step forward—towards his own goal—then immediately attempts a Cruyff turn between two Boro defenders.
One of them gets a small touch on the ball, but Gomes is quickest to react and while he is a couple of yards further downfield than he would have been had the turn worked, he nonetheless has the ball at his feet and is facing goal.
He is forced outside by Boro's defence—holding off a physical challenge, having his ankles clipped, but keeping his feet and the ball. Then, like peak Andres Iniesta or, whisper it, Lionel Messi, he drives back inside and spreads a pass out to the right.
At this point, United have successfully created an overload as Gomeshas occupied the specific physical attention of four players and the mental attention of several more, which leaves space available on the right. Rather than trying to continue his run for the sake of personal glory, the teenager finds DJ Buffonge and runs into space in the box.
It is poor defending on Boro's part that no one picks up his run, but it shows an excellent awareness of space on Gomes' part. He receives the return pass from Buffonge, fires a right-footed cross low to the back post and Kanu taps in.
Playing with players considerably older than him, the then-15-year-old Gomes made an enormous, tangible difference on that passage of play and thus the game.
Salomon noted Gomes' increasing influence: "It's one thing having the technical qualities he does, but it's another to execute them. I think that's one of the most obvious developments I've seen in him over the last six to nine months, he's now really influencing games by picking the right passes, dictating the tempo and his movement is superb."
Below is an example of him picking the right pass. This was the opener in United's game with Boro, and Gomes found Indy Boonen with a scooped, curved pass with the outside of his right boot—the “wrong” foot to use for this pass. It is an example of some fine No. 10 play; something he definitely has in his locker.
Not that his position is definitively set. Salomon added: "It's hard to know what role he might end up in. He's not a traditional No. 10 or wide player; I think he's a bit like David Silva in that he's best given the freedom to float around and find pockets of space."
The first clip shown was an example of his effectiveness as a hybrid wide-man/No. 10, the second was pure No. 10 work, and the clip below shows how good he can be on the wing.
United are 2-0 down to Liverpool when Gomes receives the ball in a touchline-hugging spot on the left, in a little more space than the opposition defence would have liked. He immediately injects a change of pace into the move, accelerating with the ball at his feet, forcing the defence to back off him and creating a burst of potential and excitement.
His technique and running style is excellent here, but what is really impressive—as with the outside-of-the-boot pass above—is his awareness.
The moment he picks up the ball, his eyes dart infield where he can spot Boonen's run. He has his head up again when Boonen points signifying his intent to break behind the defenders. Tahith Chong puts himself into a position to offer a one-two with Gomes but is used as a decoy instead.
The moment at which it looks like Gomes is going to play the ball to Chong is the moment he instead slips the pass through to Boonen. Boonen finishes and United get back into the game, though they were unable to equalise.
As well as his impressive all-round contributions for the under-18s so far this season, Gomes also notched a historic hat-trick against Everton.
According to the club's official website: "The Englishman, who has now turned 16, was 15 years, 11 months and 29 days old at the time of the match against Everton, making him just the third 15-year-old in the club’s history to score a hat-trick for the Academy."
That the other two players to do so were Ramon Calliste and Alex Notman is, of course, ample proof that those who excel as youngsters do not necessarily emerge into the elite levels of professional football as a result.
There really are no guarantees of future success. However, at 16, Gomes is a rare talent. The excitement around him is clearly justified by his performances on the pitch. The output has been impressive, the manner of the output even more so.
In a couple of years' time, Jose Mourinho might have yet another young talent testing his reputation as a manager not inclined to give youth a chance.
If Gomes' development continues at its current rate, he might not give his manager much of a choice.
Article here.
Cheers @top1whoisman
There's suddenly a lot of hype around him. This long-ish piece in the Mirror today too.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/who-angel-gomes-manchester-united-8791702
United academy head of coaching Nicky Butt has been the latest to sing his praises.
"It's ridiculous," he said. "I look at the kids and they're miles better than I was at their age - technically. We've got some unbelievable players. Angel Gomes is a young talented player we've massive hopes for."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/who-angel-gomes-manchester-united-8791702
United academy head of coaching Nicky Butt has been the latest to sing his praises.
"It's ridiculous," he said. "I look at the kids and they're miles better than I was at their age - technically. We've got some unbelievable players. Angel Gomes is a young talented player we've massive hopes for."
Thanks for sharing!
It was inevitable. People have been talking about him since he started in the academy aged 8 or so.
It is encouraging that he is continuing to step up.
He's probably used to the hype. I've been hearing about him since Moyes was here.
Just hope he's not another Freddy Adu.
He ain't.
Firstly I think he was born in the UK so we know that he is as old as he says. There is no way he is an age doper as he is tiny, he can play at a higher age level because he is just a lot better at football.
I don't think there are any warning signs that he will do an Adu.
Totally different. Add was playing first team football at 14 and was obviously lying about his age.
He's about a million times better than Adu ever was but don't let that get in the way of a pertinent comparison.
I think you're taking me a bit too literally. Maybe Ramon Calliste or Alex Notman are (marginally) better comparisons.Gomes is selected for England U17 for the Croatia Cup in which England will play Croatia, Greece and Germany.
I am glad that he finally stepped up, for some young players it is hard to steadily develop and makes the step to the older cathegories, I hope hope he soon make it to the U21 too, he's way too good not to make it here. In terms of talent think he's at least on par with Ravel and better than Pereira and Januzaj who are themselves enough talented to make it at top clubs if things go well for them, just hope Gomes avoids any injuries and keep his head down, if so he's got fantastic future ahead
I just found out Nani is his cousin
Apparently he isn't. Just a close friend to the family.
Well the rumour has gone around for years but no one seemed certain. Some said Nani was his cousin and others that he is Angel's dad's cousin. @TsuWave on the last page says they aren't related though and he is friends with one of Angel's other cousins and knows Angel personally.A quick search tells that MEN, Express, Metro, The Sun, transfermarkt say that Nani is Angel's cousin. Daily Mail say that the former United youth player Rico Gomes is the one who's cousin Nani is.
Never heard of him. Not that I pay much attention to our under 18s. I'll youtube him later.
Rico is Angel's older brother.
Well then the rumor isn’t dead. Guess we need someone to ask from Angel next time they attend our U18 game.
Well unless for some bizarre reason he completely made it up, Tsuwave already said that he knows Angel and his family and they aren't related.
Sorry, missed it. Guess that puts it to bed, yeah. Although newspapers are full of crap, it’s kind of weird that so many outlets have mentioned the cousin thing. Guess all it takes is one and the rest lap it up.
lol no I didn't make it up, the thing is, afro-portuguese people often refer to really close friends as cousins, especially when introducing them to other people, "meu primo"/my cousin, so maybe that's where the "rumor" started/newspapers got it from. I do know that Nani is very close to their family but when i asked if they were REALLY related, angel's blood cousin, the one i'm friends with, told me "nah".
I read the UWS mag, apparently people at United reckon he's going to become one of the Worlds best players
He is playing in a mini tournament with England u17 'The Croatia Cup' at the moment. Opponents will be Croatia, Germany and Greece. England play the hosts in their first game this evening.
Yeah best player through the ranks since Ravel. Thankfully he's not got all the baggage Rav brought along with him. Lad has the devotion to his game and no apparent outside distractions.
Good news! He does look like the creative midfielder we're crying out for
If this lad is that good lets get him up to the U23s at least. Also he should play for Portugal the way things are in the England set up.
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