Anthony Gordon Addresses Criticism Over Premier League Goal Drought
Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has publicly responded to recent scrutiny of his form, offering a philosophical defence that centres on the distinction between perception and reality. Speaking from the Parc des Princes ahead of Wednesday's crucial Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain, the 23-year-old reflected on the heightened expectations surrounding his performances.
Champions League Success Contrasts Domestic Struggles
Gordon's comments come amid a notable disparity in his scoring records across different competitions this season. The forward has impressively netted six times in the Champions League, a tally surpassed only by global superstars Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane in the tournament. However, this European prowess stands in stark contrast to his domestic fortunes, where he has now gone more than a full calendar year without scoring from open play in Premier League fixtures.
'I think perception can sometimes distort reality a little bit,' Gordon stated, addressing the narrative that has developed around his inconsistent output. 'I think people's expectations of me have grown, and rightly so, and I'm completely fine with that. But I know I'm doing the right things every day.'
A Philosophical Approach to Scrutiny and Social Media
The England international elaborated on his mindset when dealing with external analysis, demonstrating a mature perspective on the pressures of top-level football. He expressed acceptance of media criticism as part of the professional landscape, distinguishing it from personal attack.
'I don't mind it (media analysis),' he explained. 'It's not personal to me, it's just your job, it's what you're meant to do. Part of trying to be great at something is you can take people's opinions good or bad. If you can't, then you're probably not meant to be great.'
Gordon revealed a key strategy in managing modern football's intense spotlight: a conscious disengagement from social media platforms. 'But I stay off social media, so it's not that bad for me,' he noted. 'I know a lot of players do use it. It is what you make it, but it's not for me. I don't care for people's opinion, whether they love me or they don't like me, it doesn't bother me either way.'
No Simple Explanation for Scoring Disparity
When pressed on the significant difference between his Champions League and Premier League goal returns, Gordon admitted he lacks a definitive explanation. He emphasised that his approach and effort remain consistent across both competitions.
'I don't have an answer for you, unfortunately,' he conceded. 'It's just one of those things. I'm trying the exact same in both games. I'm trying to do the right things always. They're just going in in the Champions League.'
The winger also contextualised his challenges by highlighting the quality of opposition he regularly faces in domestic football. 'I'm always playing against right backs who are elite themselves, so I know people expect a lot from me, but they're also quite good players and they get paid quite well to stop me.'
Gordon's reflections present a player focused on internal motivation and daily process, rather than external noise, as he navigates the complexities of form and expectation at the highest level of the game.
