Marseille’s Angel Gomes: ‘Vélodrome is better than Anfield or St James’ Park’ | OneFootball

Angel Gomes’ move to Olympique de Marseille this summer came with expectation. Arriving on a free transfer after impressing at Lille OSC over two seasons, the Englishman has had to adapt quickly to life in the South of France. But the former Manchester United man says he has settled in well, speaking in an interview with local media outlet Le Phocéen.

“You go to the pharmacy, there’s an OM supporter. You go to the grocery store, there’s an OM supporter. Everyone loves this club in Marseille! It’s impossible not to bump into a fan. But so far, I’ve only had positive interactions,” said Gomes on his relationship to Marseille supporters. When it comes to the Stade Vélodrome, the midfielder even claims that it is in the “top three best stadiums in Europe,” – even better than St James’ Park and Anfield. “Personally, yes. I’ve played in those stadiums, but the Vélodrome… you have to be there to understand.”

“I enjoy chatting with the supporters, it’s nice. The atmosphere here is just different. Before, I was in the north of France,” continued Gomes, who spent three seasons at Lille after a breakthrough spell in Portugal. “Now I’m in the south, in Marseille, and the vibe is different. I like it, it suits me. It reminds me a bit of home, where I grew up… except that in Manchester, there’s no sun! (laughs) But the people are very similar, very warm.”

Gomes has made seven appearances with Les Olympiens so far this season, scoring his first goal in spectacular fashion back in August. The Englishman has however been rotated in recent weeks by De Zerbi, who has preferred combining Matt O’Riley and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in a central double pivot.GFFN | George Boxall