Newcastle United 'must be rubbing their hands' after securing a £70million fee for Anthony Gordon before his underwhelming World Cup performances, according to former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan.
Gordon, 25, joined Barcelona from Newcastle last month for a reported £70m, ending a three-and-a-half-year stint on Tyneside. He then linked up with England for the World Cup, but has struggled to make an impact in the tournament.
Gordon's World Cup struggles
The winger started both of England's group games so far, including a 4-2 win over Croatia, but his displays have been described as 'anonymous' by critics. He has worked hard off the ball but created little, prompting calls for Marcus Rashford to replace him. Rashford came off the bench to score England's fourth goal against Croatia.
Gordon faces being dropped for Saturday's clash against Panama in New York as scrutiny intensifies. Despite the criticism, Jordan defended Gordon but admitted Newcastle had pulled off a masterstroke.
Jordan's verdict
"That's the question, isn't it? Because you've got two of the biggest clubs in the world that are looking at him and going, their coaches are seeing something in him," Jordan told talkSPORT. "The England manager sees something in him. So I'm in your camp. I look at him, I think he had a decent first half against Ghana. But I look at him and say, how is that a £70million footballer? Newcastle must be rubbing their hands. But Barcelona and Bayern are not fools."
Gordon's transfer has been widely debated, with many questioning the fee. Jordan's comments highlight the perceived value Newcastle extracted before the World Cup exposed Gordon's limitations on a global stage.
