Anthony Gordon was an unused substitute as England beat Panama 2-0 on Saturday night.
Former Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness believes Anthony Gordon will not last at Barcelona if he replicates his England form.
Gordon started England’s first two games at the World Cup but was benched for the final group game against Panama. Many pundits in the media criticised the winger’s ineffective display in the 0-0 draw with Ghana.
Newcastle were keen to strike a deal early and moved Gordon on less than a week after the Premier League season finished. He joined Barca for £70million - and the fee could rise if certain stipulations are met.
Graeme Souness scathing of Anthony Gordon
In an article for The Telegraph, ex-Toon boss Souness told Gordon to improve - or find himself making a swift Camp Nou exit. He also pointed towards Spanish superstar Lamine Yamal as the “template” for a Barcelona wideman.
"It is absolutely fair to say they will have watched their new £70million winger Anthony Gordon in England’s opening group games and wondered what they have bought,” Souness wrote. “If Gordon turns up in Barcelona and plays as conservatively as he did against Croatia and Ghana then he will not be staying in Catalonia for too long.
"Lamine Yamal is the template for a Barcelona winger. We all saw what he did against Saudi Arabia in their second game, taking his men on and attacking the back post to get himself a goal. You are kidding yourself if you don’t think everyone around Barcelona, from fans to the media to the players, isn’t watching and saying, 'If Yamal is doing that, what is Gordon doing?'"
Simon Jordan questions £70m price tag
Just days earlier, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan also questioned whether Gordon is worth the £70million transfer fee. He said: “Well, that's the question, isn't it? Because you've got two of the biggest clubs in the world that are looking at him. Their coaches are seeing something in him.
“The England manager sees something in him, so I'm in your camp (of being unsure). When I look at him, I think he had a decent first half against Ghana. But I look at him and say, ‘How is that a £70million footballer?’ And Newcastle must be rubbing their hands. But Barcelona and Bayern are not fools. These are not fools.”
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