Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon is facing increased competition for a starting berth with England after Eberechi Eze threw his hat into the ring for a left-wing spot.
Gordon has struggled for Newcastle United this season but has so far impressed for England.
When fit, the 24-year-old has been a starting player under Thomas Tuchel, and he scored against Latvia last month.
Tuchel has been full of praise for Gordon, but he will surely need to improve his Newcastle form if he’s going to secure a starting spot for the Three Lions ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Marcus Rashford was largely seen as his main competition but Arsenal’s Eze, who scored against Serbia on Thursday night, believes he can occupy that role.
England Men Training & Press Conference
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Eberechi Eze ready to play as a left-winger for England instead of Anthony Gordon
Eze is not quite as natural a left-winger as Gordon or Rashford but is undoubtedly a talented player.
He scored a fine goal at Wembley against Serbia from the left wing spot and is now playing for one of the leading clubs in the Premier League.
With Gordon out of form and Rashford still working his way back to his best, Eze believes he can help make an impact on the left wing. There’s even more competition for places, placing Gordon under even more pressure.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
When asked which position he prefers, Eze said: “I see myself as an attacking player
“Wherever I am, left, No10, right, striker, No8, I’m going to do my job. I’m going to do what the role is.”
Anthony Gordon facing the toughest challenge of his career but it’s good news for Newcastle United
Last season was also a struggle for Gordon, but there were mitigating factors given he returned from Euro 2024 late and had to deal with a transfer saga during Newcastle’s PSR scramble.
This time around, those excuses don’t fly.
While Gordon alone isn’t Newcastle’s problem, the fact he hasn’t scored a domestic goal since January is difficult to ignore.
Newcastle need Gordon to improve and so will England. He simply won’t be able to keep the position that at one point looked like his to lose if he continues in this kind of funk.
Rashford and now Eze prevent that. If Gordon wants to be a star man for England, he needs to start by improving for Newcastle.