The last time Andre Gomes scored a brace in a league fixture, he was wearing the red and blue of Barcelona, he was sharing a pitch with Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Arda Turan, and the Blaugrana were putting seven past Osasuna at the Camp Nou.
Six years and well over 150 games later, the Everton-owned midfielder finally repeated the trick, maintaining his recent resurgent on loan at Lille.
“Sometimes, I crucify myself about not going forward. Even the managers normally (criticise me)!” the Portugal international tells Ligue 1 website; following up a long-range stunner against Ajaccio last weekend with another almost immediately after.
Insert your own ‘London bus themed’ pun here.
“When I scored that goal, the way everyone was with me, celebrating with me after a tough game… It was very special!” Gomes adds.
Everton misfit Andre Gomes back in form at Lille
Gomes, in nine minutes, scored more league goals in the red of Lille than he managed during 88 Premier League outings in Everton blue.
Lille boss Paulo Fonseca deserves much of the credit for the 29-year-old’s recent upturn in form; handing Gomes the sort of attacking freedom he has not really been granted since his Valencia days.
“Magnificent,” beams Lille coach Paulo Fonseca; hailing Gomes’ influence since joining the 2021 Ligue 1 champions on loan from Everton in September (Ouest France).
“Andre Gomes is a player at another level. It’s very easy to see that he is very important to us. He’s a great player. He has a lot of experience, and has played for big clubs.”
With his Everton contract expiring in just over 12 months’ time, and with Gomes still one of the highest earners at Goodison Park, it seems unlikely that a cash-strapped Toffees side will opt to re-integrate the £22 million misfit back into their first-team plans any time soon.
But at least, if Gomes continues to find the net with increasing regularity across the Channel, Everton will stand a chance of recouping at least some of that outlay.
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