Antony Gordon completed a move from Newcastle to Barcelona early in the summer transfer window.
Anthony Gordon during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano.
Anthony Gordon has left a clear impression on Barcelona's dressing room(Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Former Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon is said to have impressed his Barcelona teammates with his behaviour in and around his new dressing room. The England international completed a move which could be worth around £69.3 million early in the summer transfer window.
He has hit the ground running with his new club,providing a brace of assists in just 25 minutes of his La Liga debut vs Elche. He has since started the next two games, again assisting two goals in last weekend’s 5-2 win vs Rayo Vallecano.
While he is yet to get on the scoresheet, Gordon has already become a fan favourite at the Nou Camp with his name chanted from the stands. But it’s not just with the supporters where he is already popular.
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Spanish outlet Sport reports that the 25-year-old has already become ‘one of the team’ in the Barcelona dressing room, with his adaptation due to his ‘humility and professionalism’. The England star is one of Barcelona's biggest investments in recent years but the report adds that his behaviour and attitude 'doesn't give the impression' that that's the case.
Gordon spoke in Spanish during his unveiling back in May, and while the language barrier is still there, he is continuing to learn, as well as trying to pick up Catalan, the native language of Catalonia, where Barcelona is.
The winger has had to adapt on the pitch too, with the forward speaking about the differences between the Premier League and La Liga - claiming England's top-flight is not on the same level. "I’m not going to deny that the Premier League is incredibly intense," he said, via Sport.
"The rhythm is relentless, there are physical battles everywhere, long band kicks, corner kicks and a lot of contact. That’s why many English players believe it is the best league in the world. They’re used to that kind of chaos.
"I loved playing in the Premier League and it played a huge role in my development. But Spanish football demands a different level of tactical and technical intelligence.
"In England, sometimes intensity can cover up mistakes. You can miscontrol the ball and still recover by winning the next physical battle.
"Here, a bad first touch or a lack of concentration on your positioning can punish you immediately. The spaces are smaller, the decisions have to be faster and everything must be cleaner.
"Football in Spain is different. Rayo retreated and tried to make the match difficult, something you also see in many mid-table Premier League teams.
"The difference is that we don’t just resort to long balls or relying on ball-to-ball plays. We moved the ball, Pedri found spaces between the lines, Lamine and the others created numerical superiority and patiently disarmed them with our football."
Anthony Gordon celebrates his team’s third goal which was an own goal during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano.
Anthony Gordon has got four assists in his first three appearances for Barcelona. (Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
The 25-year-old spent three-and-a-half years at Newcastle after moving from Everton in January 2023. During his time at St James’ Park, he played 152 times, scoring 39 goals and providing 28 assists.
Following the sale of Gordon, Newcastle completed a move for Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim as a potential replacement, with the 20-year-old scoring on his debut in the Carabao Cup win over West Brom. He has, however, found himself on the bench in the Premier League so far, with Harvey Barnes playing on the left and Anthony Elanga on the right.
Newcastle are currently unbeaten in their three games under new manager Matthias Jaissle. A 2-2 opening day draw against Liverpool was followed by a 2-0 win over Tottenham last weekend. The team are back in action on Saturday when they host Bournemouth (12.30pm kick-off).