Thomas Tuchel explains why Anthony Gordon has stepped up and reached a new level since joining Barcelona.
Thomas Tuchel has shared why Anthony Gordon has stepped up his game for both club and country since joining Barcelona.
Gordon made a surprising £69.1 million move from Newcastle United to Barca this summer and has quickly settled into La Liga. The fast winger has already provided four assists in his first six league games, and he’s bringing that same energy to the England squad.
At 25, Gordon has started on the left wing in all three of England’s Nations League matches and been one of Tuchel’s standout players. With three goals and one assist so far—including a brilliant goal against Spain—he’s become a key player for the team.
In their latest match, England crushed Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka, delivering their best team performance since Tuchel took over. Gordon was electric again, using his speed, aggression, and smart moves to score and assist two goals.
The former Newcastle winger was unstoppable, and Tuchel explained how Gordon has reached “another level.”
“He’s playing with more aggression and confidence now. I see a player full of faith. He’s taken his game up a notch,” the German coach said after the match.
Gordon called his move to Barca a dream come true, and it’s turning out to be one of the best choices of his career. After rising as one of Europe’s top wingers, the freedom he has in Hansi Flick’s front three is helping him play even better.
Last season, Gordon shone in the Champions League for Newcastle with 10 goals, but he feels he’s still being seen differently in England and Spain.
“I think I’ve become a different player to many people. In England, people respected my speed and pressing, but not always the quality and intelligence in my game. Only my teammates really understood that,” Gordon said before the Nations League.
He also feels more appreciated by La Liga fans, who notice his skill and smart play more than Premier League supporters did.
“In England, I don’t think I was fully respected. People just saw me as fast and aggressive, but in Spain, they really value my intelligence and quality,” he added.
Since moving to Spain, Gordon has shown loads of confidence, with his stats backing it up. He’s taking more shots, making more key passes, and completing more dribbles per game than before.
Clearly, the former Everton player is thriving in a league known for its technical style, and he’s continuing that strong form on the international stage too.