Anthony Gordon has taken his game to a new level since joining Barcelona, becoming England's best player in the 2-0 win against Czechia in Prague on Tuesday. He was also impressive in the 3-2 defeat by Spain at Wembley on Saturday. The winger, who signed for Barcelona at the end of May in a £69.3m deal from Newcastle, has begun to show strengths that were previously overlooked.
More to his game
Gordon has always traded on his pace, hard running and pressing ability. But he says people only saw him through Eddie Howe's high-tempo, back-and-forth style at Newcastle. Now at Barcelona, who control the ball more, he has had to show greater game awareness, sophistication and subtlety. These things have always been in him, but they have become more visible.
“I pride myself on having a high football IQ and making the right decisions,” he said. “So I think going to a team like Barcelona has really suited me and it's maybe highlighted strengths that people didn't know I had – or maybe overlooked because I'm fast and I press. That's kind of the only things people ever speak about. I've got a lot more to my game.”
Leadership and confidence
What most stood out in the Spain and Czechia matches was how Gordon imposed himself as England struggled. It was the personality he showed; the desire to be a leader. It spoke to the confidence he has mined during a fine start to life at Barcelona; he has five assists in seven appearances, albeit no goals. He can now say that he forms one-third of a front line with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Against Spain, Gordon and Jude Bellingham threw the counterpunches during a difficult opening; Gordon equalised for 1-1 from a Bellingham assist. Against Czechia, Gordon probed and created, getting shots away. At the start of the second half he headed England into the lead. Gordon finished with a game-high four chances and had the most touches in the opposition penalty area.
World Cup turning point
Gordon had a positive World Cup for England, culminating in the dream moment when he gave his team their 1-0 lead in the semi-final against Argentina. He was withdrawn as Thomas Tuchel switched to a back five, and England were beaten 2-1. He describes the summer as the “best experience” of his life, having made the difference against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last 32, coming on as a substitute with England 1-0 down to set up Harry Kane's goals for the 2-1 win. He was excellent in the last-16 epic against Mexico at the Azteca.
“Anthony could have done even better at the World Cup,” Tuchel said. “I am not so sure of the quarter-final against Norway [and how Gordon played in that]. But it was difficult, every match was difficult. And now he arrives full of confidence. He wanted to prove a point that it is his shirt on the left-hand side and that is exactly what he does, what we want and he gets the praise for it. At the same time the expectations rise, of course they do.”
Kane's praise
Kane said Gordon had improved since the World Cup. “The move to Barcelona has helped him. Going to a big club like that gives you more self-belief, more confidence. You feel like you belong on the biggest stage and he's taken that into his England performances. He was outstanding against Spain and he was the difference-maker against the Czechs.”
