Anthony Gordon is far from indispensable at St James’ Park - Newcastle United should cash in and end the perennial speculation.
Is anyone else sick of hearing and reading about Anthony Gordon? Covering the Newcastle United winger has certainly become a weekly exercise in deja vu.
With each passing week, the speculation surrounding his Toon future amplifies. Not even a new contract penned in October 2024 - just months after a move to Liverpool broke down - silenced the noise.
There has perhaps never been a Newcastle player who believes his own hype more. Reports that Gordon believes he has outgrown the club remain unverified, but his cocksure tone in interviews - most notably an ill-judged Sunderland jibe after a limp derby defeat - does not align with the player we see weekly.
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Gordon is a good player, not a great one. His zealots will passionately point towards the 17 goals scored across all competitions this season. Give over. Padding the numbers with penalties against Union Saint-Gilloise and Qarabag should not fool anyone.
Statistics can be warped to fit any agenda. Here is another: Gordon has scored just three Premier League goals from open play in 15 months.
In truth, Gordon is 25 and has enjoyed just one good season in his full career. He was excellent two years ago, being named Newcastle’s Player of the Season as supporters roared him into Euro 2024.
A frantic PSR situation developed on Tyneside that almost resulted in Gordon being jettisoned to Liverpool. But his admission, this left him mentally scrambled - has he ever been the same player since?
This is not a Gordon hit piece. As noted, he is a solid, Premier League winger. His versatility is also useful - when he can be bothered to play on the opposite flank. But this country has witnessed a myriad of electrifying, elite-level widemen - Antoine Semenyo is in vogue right now - and Gordon is not one of them.
If he wishes to move on, Newcastle should cash in early and wish him well. The Gazette understands that the Toon hierarchy agree as they aim to avoid another damaging Alexander Isak saga.
It would be unfair to single out Gordon on this note. That profound message fits for any player who does not want to sweat blood for the black-and-white cause next season.
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