Angel Gomes has reflected on leaving Manchester United to join French Ligue 1 club Lille after earning his first call-up to the England national team.
Gomes, 24, joined Lille from United in 2020, before being loaned out to Portuguese side Boavista for the 2020-21 season.
He has since returned to France and his form has led England caretaker manager Lee Carsley to select Gomes for the games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Asked what it was like to leave his boyhood club at such a young age, Gomes said: “When I left it was more for the idea of improving as a player and obviously as a person.
“I knew that with time I could create a path for myself and get to the position I am in now. It was difficult to leave the club I was at since then. [six years old]Since then it has been an uphill road but also with many difficulties and difficult moments. But being in this position now makes it all worth it.”
Gomes was on a long list of players under consideration for Gareth Southgate's European Championship squad last summer and said missing out motivated him.
“Yes, believe it or not, I was shortlisted in the group of many… [England] players,” Gomes said.
“Every time the team was announced, I would get an email. But obviously, they tell you whether you're on the team or not, either over the phone or by phone. A lot of times I didn't find out, but I knew that if I kept going, sooner or later I would be able to create my own path. I'm grateful to be here now and be able to show myself as I am.
“I just didn't manage to get into the group, but that's always fuel to keep going.”
England face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday before taking on Finland at Wembley on Tuesday.
