In Barcelona, where a new winger’s every touch is quickly measured against the club’s demanding football culture, Anthony Gordon has made an immediate case for himself. The England international has answered doubts surrounding his €80 million move from Newcastle by becoming one of LaLiga’s leading creators in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Barcelona brought Gordon in after the departures of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and, most notably, Marcus Rashford. There had been criticism of the fee for the former Everton forward, with expectations that he would help replace the attacking output lost from the squad.
Instead, his first contribution has come chiefly through chance creation. With Raphinha moved into a more central attacking role, Gordon has taken over on the left side and established himself quickly in the team.
A fast start on Barcelona’s left
Gordon has appeared in six of Barcelona’s first seven league matches, starting five times. He has registered five assists, the highest total in the competition at this stage, although his first goal for the Catalan club is still to arrive.
The early return has given weight to Barcelona’s decision to invest heavily in the 24-year-old, whose pace and work rate were already familiar from his time in English football. Gordon, however, believes his move to Spain has changed how his wider game is judged.
Gordon sees a different appreciation in Spain
Speaking while with England during September’s international window, Gordon said he feels he is now viewed as a more complete footballer than he was in his home country.
“I think many people now see me as a different player,” Gordon said. “I always felt that in England I was recognised for being quick and for pressing, but the quality and intelligence in my game were not really appreciated.”
The Barcelona forward linked that change in perception to the contrast between the Premier League and LaLiga. For him, joining Barcelona represented confirmation that his technical ability and decision-making were valued at the highest level.
“In England, people mainly saw someone fast and aggressive,” he added. “In Spain, they value my intelligence and my quality much more. At Barça, you have to be technical and intelligent; otherwise, you cannot belong there.”
For Gordon, who began his senior career at Everton before moving to Newcastle, the first weeks in Catalonia have offered more than a productive start. They have also supplied a public reply to the critics who questioned both his price and the breadth of his game.
