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.
Gordon's view on England's appreciation
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."
Contrasting styles at Newcastle and Barcelona
Gordon also hinted that Newcastle's style of play did not always lend itself to allowing him to display all of his attributes.
Gordon said: "I think in England it was never really respected as people see me as quick and aggressive. 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."
Desire to leave the Premier League
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."
