Everton midfielder Andre Gomes has been labelled as the ‘big surprise’ of the summer transfer window for Lille, where he is shining on loan.
That’s according to Le 11 HDF, who take a look at the French side’s business today and assess those who arrived.
Gomes is one of them, having joined the Ligue 1 side on loan at the end of the transfer window after Everton made it clear he was not a part of Frank Lampard’s plans this season.
He has been a regular for Paulo Fonseca’s side since his first start midway through September, establishing himself in Lille’s midfield and getting the regular playing time that wasn’t on offer at Goodison Park.
The website says that the Portuguese midfielder ‘finds refuge’ in Lille, becoming an ‘indisputable starter’ and a ‘key figure’ in Fonseca’s plans.
They label him as an ‘outstanding retriever’ of the ball and an ‘accurate passer’, combining the skills of Benjamin Andre and Angel Gomes into one player.
That makes him the ‘perfect link’ between the defence and attack, something which has helped Lille to seventh in the table and just four points outside of the top four.
They would more than welcome a permanent deal, and while it will be ‘difficult’ to buy him, there is a belief that ‘everything remains possible’, especially if they secure European football.
That will come as great news to Everton, whose decision to send him out on loan seems to be paying off and may end up with them recouping some of the money they paid out, a previously unthought of scenario given his struggles on Merseyside.
