Luke Edwards has delivered scathing criticism of Newcastle star winger Anthony Gordon amid his difficult start to the season for the Magpies, claiming the England international is not an elite footballer amid his poor run of form.
Gordon was forced off with an injury in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Athletic Club in the Champions League on Wednesday night in another frustrating game for the forward, who is now a doubt for the Magpies’ trip to Brentford on Sunday.
The 24-year-old has struggled to replicate his best form at the start of the season, registering no goal contributions in seven Premier League games, with all five of his goal involvements coming in the Champions League.
Edwards says Gordon has looked ‘lethargic, sloppy and sometimes uninterested’ this term, with his ongoing goalscoring struggles raising questions over whether he still deserves to start under Eddie Howe
Luke Edwards Slams Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon celebrating after scoring for England against Latvia
Edwards, writing in his column for The Telegraph, said Gordon is not necessarily crucial to Newcastle amid his poor run of form in recent months:
“If Gordon really was an elite player, if he was absolutely crucial to Newcastle, it would not even be a debate.
“The fact the 24-year-old has these question marks hanging over him is not good enough.
“It is becoming a recurring theme for Newcastle, with fans and coaching staff starting to worry.”
He also added that the 24-year-old winger is at risk of losing his footing in the England picture, despite featuring regularly under Thomas Tuchel in the World Cup qualifiers:
“With a World Cup on the horizon, Gordon has played himself into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI in the qualifiers, but the German will be watching closely.“If he loses his place at Newcastle – and Howe could easily play Harvey Barnes ahead of him – it could put paid to his World Cup dream.”
Gordon last scored a Premier League goal in Newcastle’s 3-0 win over Wolves in January, meaning the forward has not found the net in his last 21 league games. His last assist came in a 3-1 victory at Southampton the same month.
The 24-year-old is unlikely to open his season account for the Magpies on Sunday, having suffered a recurrence of the hip injury that has been troubling him in recent weeks in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Athletic..
While Howe refused to speculate on the severity of the injury, he said the club will assess the forward’s situation in the coming days.