Anthony Gordon’s first months at Barcelona have given him a new reference point, and the England winger did not hide the contrast as Wembley prepares for Spain’s visit on Saturday night.
Barcelona experience reshapes Gordon’s view
Gordon joined Barcelona this summer after four seasons with Newcastle, having previously played for Everton. The 25-cap England international said his move to Spain had exposed him to a style of football unlike anything he had encountered in English football.
England face the world champions in their opening UEFA Nations League match at Wembley on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45. Gordon believes Spain’s ability to dictate possession and the rhythm of matches cannot simply be reproduced by the Three Lions.
- He said Spain possess a control of games that England do not naturally have.
- Gordon described the Spanish way of keeping the ball as fundamentally different from his previous experience.
- He questioned whether England could ever fully reach that level of possession-based control.
“That is not in the English DNA or in our nature,” Gordon said. “I am not convinced it is something that can simply be learned. Now that I am playing in Spain, I can say from experience that the way they retain the ball is very different.”
England urged to trust its own strengths
Rather than chasing a Spanish template, Gordon argued that England should sharpen the qualities that have traditionally made them dangerous: physicality, direct football and counter-attacking threat.
“We can improve, certainly, but perhaps we should take another route and really focus on what we do best,” he said. “That means a physical, direct game, built around transitions. There is no single formula for winning a football match.”
Gordon warned against defining England through comparison with other nations.
- England should not constantly attempt to mirror other countries, he said.
- The squad has attributes that Spain do not possess.
- Those distinct strengths should become the foundation of England’s approach.
“We are English and we have our own qualities,” Gordon added. “Maybe we should start playing to the things we know we can do well.”
No blame for Tuchel after Argentina defeat
Gordon was also asked about England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, when Thomas Tuchel’s team led 1-0 before losing 2-1 after a late collapse.
The Barcelona player rejected any suggestion that Tuchel should carry the blame for the loss, insisting the German coach had acted in the interests of the entire country.
“He clearly did his best and tried to win the World Cup for everyone,” Gordon said.
Saturday’s meeting offers England an immediate test against the side Gordon now sees up close in Spain: a world champion team built around control, but also a reminder, in his view, that England’s route to success need not look the same.
