Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United (10) arrives for the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United FC at Camp Nou on March 18, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.
Anthony Gordon will face Barcelona in the Champions League for Newcastle United after starting the first-leg on the bench
Shay Given believes Alan Shearer was wrong to suggest Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon could have started for the Magpies against in their first-leg. Eddie Howe said he had to bench the ex-Everton forward in the first-leg as he was feeling ill.
After the heavyweights secured a dramatic 1-1 draw at St. James' Park, Shearer and criticised Gordon by saying the England international should have pushed through his illness to get onto the pitch. After overcame 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Gordon grabbing the equaliser, the forward used his post-match interview to slam Shearer and Wayne Rooney's criticism as "nonsense" stating he had been "in bed for three days."
As well as Shearer and Rooney, also questioned why Gordon was fit enough to come off the bench, but not start. A week after those comments were made, ex-Newcastle keeper Given believed Shearer, Rooney and Keane were all harsh towards Gordon.
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Speaking to TNT Sports, Given said: "I think on the whole the lads were a bit strong on what they said. I don’t think any player would shy away from playing against Barcelona.
"In fact, after injury, I think it would be the opposite. You’d take a few tablets or a few injections just to get on that pitch because these games do not come around very often.
"I think the last time they played here was about 30 years ago. Every single player wants to play. Anthony Gordon also has an unbelievable record in the Champions League this year as well.
"He wants to try and top the charts in goalscoring as well. He doesn’t want to miss a minute. I suppose I’m glad he’s strong enough to stand up to the people who said that, not in a bad way, just that he’s his own personality, he came out strong and defensive and rightly so."
Ex-Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott also agreed, adding: "Yeah, very much so. Knowing Anthony, it didn’t surprise me that he did that.
"As someone who loves to play, who thrives, the bigger the occasions, so the fact he was questioned, in regards to not being ready last week, surprised me.
"In regards to knowing Anthony, I knew that wasn’t the case, I knew there was something more to it. He explained it and now he’s relishing the opportunity tonight."
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