This season’s Champions League is filled with high-quality players, but Joe Cole has backed a member of the Newcastle United squad to be the ‘breakout star.’
The Magpies qualified for Europe’s elite competition, giving Eddie Howe’s men the opportunity to play in the Champions League for the second time in three years as the club continues to grow.
After a slow start to the 2025-26 season, Newcastle United won their first game this past weekend, with Nick Woltemade scoring on his debut for the club to defeat Wolves 1-0.
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Newcastle United will now aim to take the momentum from that victory into the Champions League, with Cole focusing on one player in particular.
TNT Sports Joe Cole during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park on January 18, 2025
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Joe Cole has high hopes for Anthony Gordon in the Champions League
Newcastle United will be commencing their Champions League campaign on Thursday at home against Barcelona, and there will be plenty of attention paid to what the Premier League side achieves.
While Cole believes Yamine Lamal will be the tournament’s best player and Barcelona will win the entire competition, he told TNT Sports that Anthony Gordon will be the ‘breakout star.’
Gordon has been a key member of Howe’s squad since joining the Magpies, and his attacking impetus will certainly cause problems within the competition.
Cole has high expectations for Newcastle in the Champions League this season, as he believes they will be the surprise package.
While they have a tough start against the La Liga outfit, Newcastle did beat Barcelona 3-2 at St James’ Park in 1997 when Faustino Asprilla scored a hat-trick, and repeating that feat would be a welcome start.
Anthony Gordon will be fresh to face Barcelona
Gordon will be expected to start against Barcelona due to his importance to the Newcastle United team and because he heads into the game fresh.
Due to being suspended over the weekend, the England international didn’t feature in any capacity against Wolves, meaning he is well rested as he prepares to face Barcelona.
Gordon is yet to provide any goals or assists this season for the Magpies, but he scored nine times last season, while providing seven assists in all competitions.
Jamie Carragher has previously labelled Gordon “one of the best” players in the Premier League, while Wayne Rooney has also praised him. Now, it will be up to him to deliver on the biggest stage.