Former Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon believes his talent was 'never fully respected' in England, which made him want to leave the Premier League. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Barcelona since his £69million move from the Magpies earlier this summer.
Impressive start at Barcelona
Gordon made his competitive debut for Hansi Flick's side in August against Elche, impressing in a 5-2 win. He has since registered two assists for the La Liga champions, with three more across games against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. The winger has quickly become a fan favourite, helping his team win all seven of their league games so far this season.
The attacker continued that form during the international break, scoring in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley Stadium in the Nations League.
Different perception in Spain
Speaking to ITV Sport on his return to England, Gordon explained why he believes he was seen differently in English football's top-flight compared to Spain's. He said: "I think I've become a different player in a lot of people's eyes because I always felt in England, people respected me because I was fast and I pressed but they never actually respected the quality and IQ that I play with."
"Only the players I play with ever seem to notice that. I think now that I'm at Barcelona and I play a different style, those qualities are highlighted much more and people are actually starting to take notice that I'm not just quick."
He added: "I think in England it was never really respected because people just see me as really quick and really aggressive. Whereas in Spain I think they really appreciate my IQ and quality because in Barcelona, if you're not technical, if you're not smart, you're going to stand out like a sore thumb."
Growing appreciation
Asked if people in England are appreciating him more now, Gordon said: "I think they're starting to. I still think it can happen more but they're starting to because they see me play for Barcelona in a different style of football where maybe those qualities are highlighted more."
"I played for Newcastle who were a really intense running team so the attributes of running and aggression were always on show. Now, I play a whole opposite style of football where my other qualities can show."
Asked if you have to go away sometimes to be appreciated, he added: "Yeah - and that was kind of what I wanted, if I'm honest. I wanted to leave the Premier League. I wanted a different experience and I wanted exactly that. I felt like I had more than what people thought of me and I wanted to show that on the world's biggest stage."
Gordon is likely to next be in action on Tuesday night for England's Nations League clash in Czechia (7:45pm).
