Anthony Gordon has suggested that England's Premier League-based players are more susceptible to injuries because of the unique physical intensity of the domestic competition. Speaking after five players withdrew from Thomas Tuchel's latest squad, the Barcelona winger said the demands of English football are unlike those anywhere else.
Gordon, who moved to La Liga from Newcastle, believes every Premier League fixture carries the same level of difficulty, regardless of the opponent. He said: "In England, every game is as hard as the next. Playing Arsenal is the same as playing a newly promoted side. That's the difficulty of the Premier League. Every game is so intense. Everyone can win a game."
Physical toll of English football
The 25-year-old former Everton attacker pointed to the example of Hull City, who remained unbeaten until their meeting with Newcastle. He added: "Hull were unbeaten until they played Newcastle. I think for the English players playing in the Premier League, it can be a lot tougher on the body than it can be playing elsewhere."
Gordon's comments come amid ongoing questions about whether England players are at risk of burnout when they reach summer tournaments. He contrasted the demands of the Premier League with those of other leagues, suggesting the relentless nature of English football takes a greater toll on the body.
Ballon d'Or ambitions
Harry Kane, who plays in the Bundesliga, is widely seen as a leading contender for this year's Ballon d'Or, with Gordon viewing the race as a straight fight between the England captain and his Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal.
Gordon, however, has his own sights set on the sport's most prestigious individual prize. He said: "Absolutely. I've always dreamt of that since I was a kid. I've never had a limit on what I can do in life. I understand that the people who are there at some point were not there. Everyone is on their own journey to get there. I believe anyone can achieve anything if they put their mind to it."
Writing down his dreams
Gordon said he documents his ambitions in a diary, a habit he believes brings clarity. "I like to write things down," he explained. "It always makes it more clear. I always write things down. I kind of like it because in years to come I can look back on it and pass it on to my kids."
The most difficult entry followed England's World Cup semi-final defeat in the summer, when Gordon scored the opening goal but was substituted before watching his team-mates surrender their lead in the final minutes. He said: "I did not know what to write. I wrote down just pure emotion. It was a good few pages, I will tell you that."
