Angel Gomes’ England debut from the bench during the 2-0 UEFA Nations League win in the Republic of Ireland on September 7 caught the eye of fans.
Lille’s former Manchester United youngster was tidy in possession at the base of the Three Lions midfield, completing all 19 of his attempted passes to expertly direct traffic during the closing stages.
It was a cameo to leave observers keen to see more, coming as it did in a position where England have traditionally struggled for specialists. Gomes, 24, is tipped to enjoy more minutes against Finland on Tuesday at Wembley.
But Gomes’ appearance also was notable for his diminutive stature. When he entered the field in place of Kobbie Mainoo his team-mate towered above him — not a familiar sensation for the United teenager, who is by no means a giant himself.
Here’s a quick run through the numbers on Gomes’ height and whether he is England’s shortest player of all time.
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How tall is Angel Gomes?
According to various sources, including Transfermarkt and the England football team’s official website, Angel Gomes is 168 cm tall. Or 5ft 6ins, if you prefer.
He’s certainly the smallest player in Lee Carsley’s squad, although fellow Mancunian Rico Lewis comes in at 5ft 7ins.
Who is England’s smallest-ever player? Shortest men to represent Three Lions
Gomes is following in a fine tradition of Old Trafford-reared playmakers. Arguably the finest of them all, Paul Scholes, is also 5ft 6ins — the same height as former England, Manchester City and Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Another wideman who featured in Sven-Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren and Fabio Capello’s England squads alongside Wright Phillips was Aaron Lennon. The ex-Tottenham star measured a mere 5ft 5ins.
However, to find England’s smallest player of all time we have to delve back more than a century to another Spurs winger. Capped twice, once in 1914 and 1922, Fanny Walden was just 5ft 2ins (157 cm).
Walden was also a professional cricket player and became an international umpire after his retirement, officiating in 11 Test matches.