Anthony Gordon has suggested it has taken his £69million move from Newcastle United to Barcelona for people to appreciate his "football IQ". The Scouse star left Newcastle in May to pursue a career in La Liga and believed he had no choice but to quit the Premier League in order to be appreciated. Gordon scored a fantastic goal at Wembley in the 3-2 defeat to Spain in the UEFA Nations League and will spearhead England's attack in Prague tonight in a must-win game.
Different Version After Barcelona Move
I was at Wembley on Saturday night and noticed a distinct different version of Gordon after his Barca move compared to the one that played for Newcastle. He was fuelled with extra confidence after a heady move to Catalonia, in which he has been made to feel loved. His contribution has been bigged up via Barca's social media channels, with a host of posts heaping praise on the star.
That's not a surprise given Gordon missed a penalty in a friendly with Al Ahly and was clearly in need of picking up. Barca did exactly that and the results are there for all to see with a flurry of early season assists. Gordon, of course, has never been a player who has lacked in self belief. He has always shown confidence in his own ability with a fierce drive and ambition coursing through his career. When he struggled initially after moving from Everton, he never doubted he would be a success at Newcastle, and now he feels he is good enough to perform with the world's best.
Gordon's Comments on England's Respect
He has always been an articulate and deep thinker about the game too. In an engaging interview with ITV, Gordon made it clear that his overall skillset and IQ was not appreciated by 'people in England' and that the move abroad appealed greatly at the end of season.
Gordon told ITV: "I think I have become a different player in a lot of people's eyes. 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 have played with seem to notice that."
"I think now I'm at Barcelona and play a different style those qualities are highlighted more and people actually are starting to take notice that I'm not just quick."
Newcastle's Style vs Barcelona's
Gordon also hinted that Newcastle's style of play did not always lend itself to allowing him to display all of his attributes. Often, he was used by Eddie Howe to lead the Newcastle press, with physical exertion demanded as much - if not more - as technical ability.
"I think in England it was never really respected as people see me as quick and aggressive," he added. "Whereas in Spain they really appreciate my IQ. Because in Barcelona, if you are not technical, you stick out like a sore thumb."
"I think people are starting to appreciate me now and it can happen more because they see me playing 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 are on show."
When asked if he had to go away to be appreciated, Gordon said: "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 (to be appreciated), I felt like I had more than people thought of me. And I wanted to show it on the world's biggest stage. So going abroad was important for me."
By the end of his time on Tyneside, he was clearly ready for a move. The club knew it too and had earmarked him as the sale they needed to satisfy UEFA's financial regulations. It was a transfer that suited both parties and the send-off Gordon was given - glowing tributes and an exit interview - were in marked contrast to the departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
Barcelona was a dream move for both him and United. The player is flourishing and the stats would also back that up with five assists from his first seven appearances plus that goal against Spain at Wembley. You can only wish Gordon good luck but his comments to ITV have raised eyebrows among some Newcastle fans, some who point out he went a year in the Premier League without a goal from open play.
