Anthony Gordon’s form at this summer’s World Cup finals has been questioned in the Spanish media.
Former Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon has been told his big money move to La Liga champions Barcelona is ‘taking its toll on him’ after struggling in England’s opening World Cup matches.
The 25-year-old appeared to be set to join Bayern Munich earlier this summer before the Catalan giants stepped in to complete a reported £70m move to the Camp Nou that brought an end to his three-and-a-half-year stay on Tyneside. However, Gordon’s immediate focus was on securing a place in Thomas Tuchel’s starting eleven as England prepared for the group stages of this summer’s World Cup finals.
Anthony Gordon #18 of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Ghana at Boston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)placeholder image
Anthony Gordon #18 of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Ghana at Boston Stadium on June 23, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The former Everton winger was handed starts as the Three Lions collected four points from games against Croatia and Ghana - but was named amongst the substitutes as Tuchel opted to name former Barcelona loan star Marcus Rashford in side ahead of a 2-0 win against Panama last weekend.
Rashford was then given the nod over Gordon in Wednesday’s last-32 meeting with Yoane Wissa’s DR Congo.
Ahead of the match, one Spanish journalist criticised Gordon’s performances at the tournament and suggested Barcelona should have opted to push on with a permanent move for Manchester United star Rashford instead.
Writing in Spanish news outlet ABC, journalist Javier Ansorena said: "Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, gave him the left wing position in the first two group stage matches: the promising 4-2 win against Croatia and the disappointing goalless draw against Ghana. But Gordon didn't perform well in either game. He looked conservative, avoiding risks with his passing, not threatening the full-back, and predictable. Perhaps the hefty transfer fee is taking its toll on him.
"Rashford, who has been on loan from Manchester United and played a key role in Barca's LaLiga title win this season, could have stayed in Barcelona for €30 million [£25.8m]. But that doesn't seem to be the intention of the Barca board, with his loan spell ending in just a few hours."
But Gordon ended up proving the doubters wrong somewhat as he came off the bench to replace Rashford with England trailing 1-0 only to set up Harry Kane twice in the final 16 minutes to help the Three Lions progress to the last-16.
Now Tuchel faces a difficult decision whether to start Rashford once again or reward Gordon’s impact as a substitute with a return to the starting line-up.
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