Anthony Gordon owes Newcastle United a virtuoso performance this weekend.
For a player who believes he is a 9/10 – or even a 10 on his good days – a string of 5s, 6s and 7s this season is a disappointing return for the England forward. Handed a first start since February at Arsenal, his performance was anaemic enough to demand a proper reaction in their final game against Everton.
That the opponents are his former club – where there is genuine antipathy towards him – only adds to intrigue surrounding a fascinating final weekend. Gordon, who missed a penalty at Goodison Park earlier this season, desperately needs to transfer his main character energy.
In fairness, Gordon was by no means the only attacking player who misfired at the Emirates as Newcastle stumbled with the Champions League in sight. But it was his mistake in his own half that presented the ball to Bukayo Saka in the run up to Arsenal’s winning goal. Given how much emphasis Eddie Howe puts on Newcastle being disciplined with the ball, it is a desperate misstep to make.
It has left nerves wound taut on Tyneside. To outsiders they look like firm favourites to clinch a top five spot – and have won six league games in a row at St James’ Park – but Howe is wringing every last drop out of a squad that has been dented significantly by injuries of late. To lose Joelinton and Kieran Trippier, both outstanding recently, was bad enough but Alexander Isak was also absent on Sunday.
There is no natural replacement for him in the Newcastle squad, with Callum Wilson looking increasingly like his race is run as a top-flight player. William Osula remains too raw to try out so it might be Gordon who plays through the middle if Isak is unavailable. That does not quite inspire confidence as it once did.
It is difficult to know exactly what has gone on with Gordon this season. A slow start – sources cite fitness issues stemming from being underutilised by England at Euro 2024 – seemed to be behind him as he starred during Newcastle’s midwinter run of form.
But a foolish red card in an FA Cup defeat to Brighton brought his season grinding to a halt and meant he missed their historic Carabao Cup triumph. Has he really recovered from that?
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In recruitment circles, whispers around his future continue to circulate even if the official response is that Newcastle don’t want to sell and the player doesn’t want to leave.
Last summer there was interest from Liverpool, his boyhood club, which unsettled Gordon, despite his protestations to the contrary. Perhaps the fact that Newcastle were prepared, out of desperation at their own profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) situation, to listen to the offer did turn his head.
That is behind them and Newcastle have no pressing financial fair play issues in this close season but the feeling is that the club still need to player trade to stay ahead of the curve.
Gordon signed a long-term contract that runs until 2030 but of Newcastle’s “crown jewels” he is perhaps the one that it makes most sense to trade if a suitable offer is tabled. Arsenal and Chelsea are two of the clubs understood to be interested. It is thought there is a price tag of around £80m on him.
Before any transfer talk, there is more pressing business to take of. Newcastle desperately need three points. Gordon needs to do his bit.