Alan Shearer raves about 'brilliant' England star Newcastle United can sign for nothing
Alan Shearer has hailed reported Newcastle United target Angel Gomes for his recent England performance.
Interim boss Lee Carsley drafted the midfielder into his engine room for the 3-1 win over Finland. Previously overlooked at international level, the Lille star worked under the 50-year-old for the under-21s when they won the Euros last year.
Gomes was one of Carsley’s left-field inclusions in his first England squad and he returned to the fold for the double-header against Greece and Finland. Available on a free next summer, Newcastle are linked with a potential approach as he appears unlikely to pen a fresh Lille deal.
The 24-year-old - who set up Jack Grealish with a deft outside-the-boot pass for the opener - has now been given the seal of approval by United’s all-time leading goalscorer. Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast: “What he (Gomes) also does is allow Declan (Rice) to play more of his game as well.
“He’s (Rice) not a sitting midfielder, although he can do it, a big part of his game is getting forward and making those runs. Angel Gomes brought a lot to the team. The pass was incredible, which you need when the opposition are going to sit deep.
“You need someone who can produce that piece of brilliance with a pass. For the Grealish goal, he was brilliant.”
Co-host Micah Richards was also impressed but remains unsure whether he is the long-term “answer” in midfield. He added: “He got a load of assists last season. After one of the European nights, I mentioned him. He’s silky on the ball. What people don’t understand is he was never a holding midfielder.
“At Man United, he was a winger or attacking midfielder. He’s now been moulded into this role. In the French league, he’s one of the best players. He looks calm and composed but I’m not sure he’s the answer.”