The kids are alright.
While England’s senior team secured qualification for next year’s World Cup with an underwhelming performance against Slovenia last week, Three Lions fans can rightly allow themselves to get excited about what the future holds for English football.
Already this year, English sides have won the U-20s World Cup, the U-19s European Championships and the Toulon Tournament. On Sunday, their U-17 side kicked off their own World Cup campaign in India with a convincing 4-0 victory over Chile.
An opener from Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi and two goals from Borussia Dortmund’s former Manchester City forward, Jadon Sancho, had all but confirmed the result before the hour mark. The final say came from Manchester United starlet, Angel Gomes, who scored directly from a late free-kick.
United fans were given their first glimpse of Gomes in the club’s senior squad in their final home game of last season. Aged 16, he replaced Wayne Rooney in the final minutes of their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, becoming the youngest player to represent United’s first team since Duncan Edwards.
Goooooal! Stunning free-kick and the outfield player had no chance! Angel Gomes scores for @England! 4-0! pic.twitter.com/GNcx3YXeo7
— Eurosport (@eurosport) October 8, 2017
Gomes – cousin of former United winger Nani – isn’t expected to feature too regularly for United’s first team this season, although it seems plenty of the club’s fans were impressed with what they saw from the gifted youngster in Kolkata.
Better than his uncle, more like his uncle's best friend. Angel Gomes – The Portuguese magician doing it for England.
Such ease. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Xgfv30cXNo
— Vinod Ramnath (@NaanumEngineer) October 8, 2017
Angel Gomes just can't stop scoring wonder goals. What a talent we have pic.twitter.com/8AqYAEUjmB
— Russell (@FutboIRussell) October 8, 2017
Angel Gomes could be very very good⚽️
— Dougieeee (@BenDouglasss) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/MarvBreaks/status/917023882539929600
It should be said again and again @agomes_47 is the future #AngelGomes
— Benjamin Brazil (@bennymufc) October 8, 2017
Angel Gomes is unbelievable, future world star 🔴
— Starkie 🇾🇪 (@JossStarkie) October 8, 2017