Lille manager Bruno Génésio has hyped up midfielder Andre Gomes after he completed a move this week following his release by Everton.
La Voix du Nord cover comments from the Lille manager today as he gets ready to throw Gomes in at the deep end despite his late arrival this summer.
The Portuguese midfielder has joined the French club on a free transfer after being released by Everton earlier this year.
The Blues elected to let Gomes depart on a free at the end of his contract, bringing an end to a troubled five year stay at Goodison Park that was ruined by injuries.
Indeed, his happiest time in Blue was arguably the season he spent on loan away from the club with Lille in 2022/23.
The midfielder established himself as a regular with the French side that season and won over fans, who were keen to sign him on a permanent basis that summer.
Finances meant that didn’t happen and Gomes played out his final year at Everton instead before being released this summer.
Lille didn’t hesitate to bring him back when they needed an addition after the window had closed, though, and Génésio is particularly pleased with the deal.
“He played in Barcelona. When you have played in a club like that, you are necessarily a great player,” he said.
“I didn’t like playing against Lille when I knew he was inside the game. He arrived in good shape. Compared to the tests we were able to do, he is very good.
“He will be very useful to us for the championship, it is up to us to manage our squad well to perform well in both competitions.”
