Angel Gomes has spoken with real admiration about Newcastle United, calling them a special club as he prepares to face them once again. The talented English midfielder, who came through the academy at Manchester United and now plays his football in France, has been linked with a move to Newcastle in the past.
Those rumours never turned into anything concrete, but the respect he has for the club has clearly remained. On Tuesday night, he may find himself lining up against the Magpies in a crucial Champions League meeting, a match that carries significance for both sides for different reasons.
Gomes’ journey over the last few years has taken him away from England and into Ligue 1, where he has developed into a more complete and confident player. After his time with Lille, he made the switch to Marseille in the summer window.
His contract situation made him a free agent, and for a moment it looked as though he could return to the Premier League. But instead of making that jump back home, he remained in France and chose a new chapter in Marseille.
So far, he has shown exactly why the club wanted him, scoring three goals in the league and becoming an important part of their midfield structure. Marseille currently sit only two points behind PSG in Ligue 1, proving they are competitive domestically.
However, the Champions League has been far more challenging for them, with three defeats in their opening four matches putting real pressure on their European campaign.
As the Newcastle fixture approaches, Gomes has been sharing his thoughts on the Premier League club’s rise and what it means to play against them again. Speaking ahead of the match, he made it clear that his respect for Newcastle has only grown since he last played in England.
He described Newcastle as a special club with a passionate and loyal fanbase, highlighting St James’ Park as one of the standout stadiums to play in. For him, the atmosphere and the energy of the supporters have always been unforgettable.
Gomes also acknowledged the impressive progress Newcastle have made in the past two years. He believes the team have reached a new level and taken huge steps forward, both in terms of quality and ambition.
He praised the structure the club has built and the strength of their squad, saying their recent years have been excellent. It’s clear that from the outside looking in, Newcastle’s project has made an impact on players across Europe, including someone like Gomes who knows the Premier League well.
When discussing the challenge of facing Newcastle, Gomes was honest about the difficulty ahead. He described them as a team full of physical strength, intensity and quality. While he is used to facing strong sides in Ligue 1, he knows the level Newcastle bring is something different.
He has played with and against many of their players before, so he understands how demanding the game will be. But he also highlighted that Marseille’s home ground, the Velodrome, carries its own power. On Champions League nights in particular, the stadium becomes a special place, and he feels that energy can push the team forward.
For Gomes, facing an English club always carries a unique feeling, but he insists that nothing changes in terms of preparation or mindset.
The goal is to play their own style, follow the plan set by the manager, and trust in the support of their fans. The Velodrome has always been known for its atmosphere, and he believes the passion from the stands can give Marseille a major lift when they need it most.
Even though Marseille are coming off a dominant 5–1 win against Nice, Gomes quickly dismissed the idea that the team would get carried away. In his view, the past result means nothing now.
The only focus is on Newcastle and performing at the highest level. They know the task ahead is a difficult one, but he believes staying concentrated and showing the same courage they’ve shown in recent matches will give them a fighting chance.
Gomes’ words reflect both respect and determination. Newcastle may be a club he admires, but on Tuesday night he intends to give everything for Marseille as they try to keep their European hopes alive.
