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England Squad Gatecrashers, Part 4: Anthony Gordon

England Squad Gatecrashers, Part 4: Anthony Gordon

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Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice heading into Euro 2024 this summer. 

By Sam McGuire

Never before has an England manager had such a talented pool of players at their disposal. To say the squad depth is unbelievable would be an understatement. But while Southgate is the envy of a lot of managers across Europe, he’s also in a bit of an unenviable position. Because no matter what decision he makes, unless the Three Lions go on to win the tournament, he’s going to have made the wrong one. 

When there is that much talent available to you, you are expected to win. This is pressure few other managers will have ever experienced. Southgate will have a select few players who are dead certs for the squad but those who have been in fine form during the final few months of the 2023/24 campaign could well gatecrash the 26-man squad. 

In this series, we’re going to look at five players who might have played their way into the thinking of the England boss. We’ve already made the case for Harvey Elliott and looked at the merits of including Crystal Palace duo Tyrick Mitchell and Eberechi Eze in the squad. Now we’re going to focus on Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. 

It doesn’t feel that long ago that eyebrows were being raised after Newcastle United parted with £40million to secure the services of the inconsistent Everton forward. It was a significant outlay for a player with just seven Premier League goals to his name. 

At the time, it was a huge gamble. Now, though, it is looking like a clever piece of transfer business. 

The 23-year-old is one of only four players to have done a double-double in the Premier League this term. He’s on 11 goals and 10 assists. The only others to achieve this feat this term are Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah. 

Gordon isn’t just involving himself in goals against inferior teams, he’s delivering in the big games for the Magpies. This term, the Newcastle No. 10 has assists against Aston Villa, Liverpool, Spurs, and Chelsea and he’s chipped in with goals versus Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Spurs. 

He’s the definition of a big game player for Eddie Howe’s men. Why wouldn’t England want a player like what within their ranks? Every game in a knockout competition falls into the big game category. Southgate needs someone with the right sort of mentality and Gordon has it. 

In an interview with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast, Gordon spoke about dictating his own development at Newcastle. “I stay out all the time [after training] because I feel like it has ended too quickly and I’m not ready to go in. The gaffer knows I don’t like gym work. He knows I like to do what makes me feel good and this season I’ve been injury-free. It’s worked.”

The versatile forward has caught the eye for Newcastle across the front line this term. He’s even spearheaded the attack on a couple of occasions with Howe looking to make the most of Gordon’s explosive pace. Back in February, Sky Sports revealed the winger had clocked the sixth fastest top speed in the Premier League this season. 

Gordon can play multiple roles and he’s a huge threat if a team is looking to play on the counter-attack. In a squad with limited spaces in a knockout competition, these traits are invaluable. 

His underlying numbers are quietly impressive too. The 23-year-old has an Expected Goals per 90 average of 0.3 and his xG On Target average is 0.29 which shows he’s a fairly consistent finisher. Despite his young age, he’s not devaluing his efforts with his shot placement. 

As a creator, he isn’t bad at all. He has an Expected Assists average of 0.17 in the Premier League this term.  He makes things happen though with his direct style. He’s won 2.12 fouls per 90, an average that puts him in the 80th percentile, and he’s won six penalties for the Magpies this term. 

Gordon should be ahead of the likes of Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford in the pecking order for England. Other than experience, that trio doesn’t have anything over the Newcastle attacker. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring xG, deep stats coverage, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

England Squad Gatecrashers, Part 4: Anthony Gordon

Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice heading into Euro 2024 this summer. 

By Sam McGuire

Never before has an England manager had such a talented pool of players at their disposal. To say the squad depth is unbelievable would be an understatement. But while Southgate is the envy of a lot of managers across Europe, he’s also in a bit of an unenviable position. Because no matter what decision he makes, unless the Three Lions go on to win the tournament, he’s going to have made the wrong one. 

When there is that much talent available to you, you are expected to win. This is pressure few other managers will have ever experienced. Southgate will have a select few players who are dead certs for the squad but those who have been in fine form during the final few months of the 2023/24 campaign could well gatecrash the 26-man squad. 

In this series, we’re going to look at five players who might have played their way into the thinking of the England boss. We’ve already made the case for Harvey Elliott and looked at the merits of including Crystal Palace duo Tyrick Mitchell and Eberechi Eze in the squad. Now we’re going to focus on Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. 

It doesn’t feel that long ago that eyebrows were being raised after Newcastle United parted with £40million to secure the services of the inconsistent Everton forward. It was a significant outlay for a player with just seven Premier League goals to his name. 

At the time, it was a huge gamble. Now, though, it is looking like a clever piece of transfer business. 

The 23-year-old is one of only four players to have done a double-double in the Premier League this term. He’s on 11 goals and 10 assists. The only others to achieve this feat this term are Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah. 

Gordon isn’t just involving himself in goals against inferior teams, he’s delivering in the big games for the Magpies. This term, the Newcastle No. 10 has assists against Aston Villa, Liverpool, Spurs, and Chelsea and he’s chipped in with goals versus Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Spurs. 

He’s the definition of a big game player for Eddie Howe’s men. Why wouldn’t England want a player like what within their ranks? Every game in a knockout competition falls into the big game category. Southgate needs someone with the right sort of mentality and Gordon has it. 

In an interview with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast, Gordon spoke about dictating his own development at Newcastle. “I stay out all the time [after training] because I feel like it has ended too quickly and I’m not ready to go in. The gaffer knows I don’t like gym work. He knows I like to do what makes me feel good and this season I’ve been injury-free. It’s worked.”

The versatile forward has caught the eye for Newcastle across the front line this term. He’s even spearheaded the attack on a couple of occasions with Howe looking to make the most of Gordon’s explosive pace. Back in February, Sky Sports revealed the winger had clocked the sixth fastest top speed in the Premier League this season. 

Gordon can play multiple roles and he’s a huge threat if a team is looking to play on the counter-attack. In a squad with limited spaces in a knockout competition, these traits are invaluable. 

His underlying numbers are quietly impressive too. The 23-year-old has an Expected Goals per 90 average of 0.3 and his xG On Target average is 0.29 which shows he’s a fairly consistent finisher. Despite his young age, he’s not devaluing his efforts with his shot placement. 

As a creator, he isn’t bad at all. He has an Expected Assists average of 0.17 in the Premier League this term.  He makes things happen though with his direct style. He’s won 2.12 fouls per 90, an average that puts him in the 80th percentile, and he’s won six penalties for the Magpies this term. 

Gordon should be ahead of the likes of Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford in the pecking order for England. Other than experience, that trio doesn’t have anything over the Newcastle attacker. 

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring xG, deep stats coverage, and player ratings. Download the free app here.