Anthony Gordon Everton
Anthony Gordon’s impressive form and versatility during pre-season have positioned him as a crucial player for Newcastle United in the upcoming Premier League campaign. Following a challenging summer, Gordon returned from his break in excellent condition, showcasing his potential as a central striker during Newcastle’s final pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur. With Alexander Isak absent from the tour and William Osula unable to capitalize on his opportunities, manager Eddie Howe is considering his options for the season opener against Aston Villa.
Chris Waddle said: “We know Anthony Gordon has got a lot of pace. He is very direct and he gets at you. That change of pace gives him a lot of success. What happens is teams start working out a little bit and start doing things differently to stop you. They start showing you in directions you don’t really want to go and he’s got to keep working on his game. We know he’s got a lot of ability and a lot of pace and he can upset defences. We know that about full-backs in particular, so it’s going to be a big season for him.”
Waddle continued: “He had an injury last year and he lost his shirt to Harvey Barnes and Barnes had a great run into the end of the season. Anthony Gordon was actually on the bench for quite a while. He couldn’t get his shirt back. So it’s up to him now with the World Cup approaching as well. It’s a big season for people like Anthony Gordon.”
Waddle added: “I think England have got about six number 10s at the minute. We need wingers and we need players to give that balance. There’s not a lot of wingers around Anthony Gordon’s quality. To me, if you’re playing a system where you have wingers, play a winger. Don’t play a midfield player and say, I’ve got to fit him in the team. Cole Palmer is not a left winger. Play a left winger. Play a right winger if you’re playing two wingers. I don’t like it when people say, well, I’ve got to find a shirt for Jude Bellingham or Palmer and Phil Foden, it just won’t work.”
During the pre-season, Gordon’s adaptability was evident as he took on the role of a central striker, a position he may occupy in the Premier League opener if Isak remains unavailable and no new striker is acquired. Harvey Barnes, who demonstrated his goal-scoring ability against Spurs, remains an option for the left wing, potentially allowing Gordon to continue in a central role. Gordon’s versatility is not only vital for Newcastle but also for England, as highlighted by former Newcastle and England star Chris Waddle. Waddle emphasized the importance of playing specialists in their preferred positions, suggesting that Gordon is one of England’s best options for the left-wing slot, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.
Gordon’s previous season was marred by injury, leading to a loss of his starting position to Harvey Barnes. With the World Cup approaching, this season presents an opportunity for Gordon to re-establish himself both at the club and international level. His limited playtime during Euro 2024, where he was used sparingly by Gareth Southgate, adds further motivation for Gordon to make a significant impact this season.
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