Anthony Gordon’s 2025/26 has been a season of contrasts so far.
In Europe he has been irresistible with four goals and an assist in three appearances. He has had a couple of excellent international camps and has fought his way into pole position for the left-wing berth for England at the World Cup.
In the Premier League, however, he has more red cards than goal contributions, and his performances have not reached the standard of his international and European endeavours.
Gordon already had some making up to do after his silly dismissal in the FA Cup tie against Brighton meant he missed the Carabao Cup final. That left a really sour taste, and while the red card against Liverpool this season wasn’t as stupid as the Brighton one, he should have had the intelligence to rein himself in at a time his availability was critical due to the Isak transfer circus.
It may seem harsh to be focussing on Gordon’s deficiencies in the wake of his electric showing against Benfica, but the man himself uses every media opportunity to highlight his ambition and drive to be an elite footballer. He talks like someone with a laser focus and a winning mindset, and he backs it up sporadically on the pitch, but he needs to find a level of consistency and maturity that has so far eluded him if he wants to elevate to the top level.
Gordon’s bold words and level of talent mean he will be held to higher standards than others – many players would find this unfair, but the pressure and expectation is something he will have to relish and use as fuel to drive him on if he wants to make it into the world class bracket.
There’s no doubt that Gordon has the tools to perform at the top for years to come. After a slow start to his Newcastle career in which he only started 25% of games in his first half-season, he broke through in 2023/24 with 12 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. His game that season was characterised by pace, endeavour and skill, and he reinforced it with top-tier output, often raising his levels in the big games.
The list of teams that Gordon has scored goals against for Newcastle makes for very impressive reading: Chelsea (2), Liverpool (2), Arsenal (3), Manchester United (2), Manchester City (2), Spurs (2), Barcelona, Benfica
Gordon had a productive winter period in 2024/25, scoring a couple of crucial Carabao semi-final goals against Arsenal, but aside from that his overall form was disappointing after the highs of the previous season. By all accounts his head had been turned the previous summer when he was touted for a PSR-satisfying switch to Liverpool, and he was underused by England at the Euros. Again, these are challenges that elite players must overcome if they are to reach their potential.
It was through no fault of his own that Gordon had to start this season for Newcastle in his less-favoured striker position. He has always applied himself well in that role, although it isn’t a natural fit for him, and it takes away from the threat he provides on the wing. The Liverpool dismissal was perhaps an example of overexcitement and trying too hard. It set his Premier League season back while he was just warming up.
There are encouraging signs from the Champions League games that Gordon is reaching the levels of two years ago. His Barcelona goal was a tidy finish to round off a sensational team move, then he pulled rank over Woltemade and dispatched his penalties against Union Saint-Gilloise with authority and confidence. He saved his best for Benfica with another smart finish and some phenomenal link up play with Woltemade to set Barnes up for the third goal. He was disciplined and his work rate was back to its best; with no sign of the frustrated body language that can plague him when things aren’t going well.
Gordon’s relationship with Woltemade is developing nicely and there has been some mouthwatering interplay between the two. This will only improve as they play together more frequently, and there is still Yoane Wissa to throw into the mix.
Gordon can perform in the big games when his tail is up and when the eyes of the world are on him. His challenge over the next three league games against Fulham, West Ham and Brentford is to back it up in the bread and butter matches of the Premier League. Strong performances and output in these games would be every bit as satisfying and important as goals against high-profile clubs. Find that consistency and start backing up his words and we can begin to have the elite conversation again.
HWTL!
