It seems like ages ago that Anthony Gordon’s place in the England side was anything but guaranteed. The turning point arrived in the last warm‑up match before the World Cup, a game against Costa Rica in which Gordon not only found the net but also supplied a second goal. That performance finally convinced the manager to hand him a starting berth for the opening fixture against Croatia. Even then, a number of Sky Sports columnists remained unconvinced, still waiting for consistent proof of his worth.
Fast forward just three months, and Gordon has become a fixture on Thomas Tuchel’s lineup, ranking among the most trusted attacking options at the national level. After a sluggish start to the tournament, something clicked for the young winger. England’s first two group games – a goalless draw with Croatia and a narrow win over Ghana – saw Gordon omitted for the must‑win final group clash with Panama.
When he returned, he immediately made an impact, providing the assists for both of Harry Kane’s goals in the dramatic comeback victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo. His influence didn’t stop there. In the following Nations League encounter with Norway, Gordon added another assist, and he capped his rise with a decisive strike in England’s semi‑final against Argentina – arguably the biggest stage of the competition.
That goal, coupled with his earlier contributions, has lifted both the nation’s fortunes and Gordon’s own confidence. At present the Barcelona winger is riding a four‑match international scoring streak – the longest run recorded by any England player other than Harry Kane in nearly six years.
Such consistency would be impressive for any footballer, let alone one whose attacking output had been heavily scrutinised up until the eve of the summer tournament. Before the World Cup, Gordon struggled to translate his club form into the England jersey, but the recent fixtures tell a different story: ten goal involvements in his last ten appearances for his country, forming part of what many analysts now describe as the most in‑form attacking quartet in international football.
His reputation had taken a hit during a difficult final season at Newcastle, where under the relentless gaze of the Premier League he managed only five non‑penalty goal contributions. That modest tally fed doubts about his quality, especially when contrasted with the prolific numbers he posted just two seasons earlier – four times as many goal involvements in his debut campaign on Tyneside. Frustrated by the criticism, Gordon told ITV ahead of the World Cup camp that his “quality and football IQ” had been undervalued by English fans before his move to Barcelona. The truth, however, is that his talent was always evident; his early years at Newcastle and his brief spell at Everton showcased flashes of brilliance.
What consistently eluded him was the regularity of performance, a point repeatedly raised by his coaches. Barcelona saw potential where others saw inconsistency. Sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick, following Tuchel’s example, decided to invest in Gordon despite his recent Premier League struggles, signing him for a fee more than double what his England teammate would have commanded.
Their belief paid off: in the previous Champions League season Gordon netted ten goals in twelve games, a tally surpassed only by Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, and he even scored against his future club’s rivals during the group phase. Ironically, in a recent interview Gordon complained that he had been valued only for his work‑rate and speed before moving to Barcelona, just days after Deco told Spanish outlet RAC1 that it was Gordon’s “intensity” that attracted the club. The paradox highlights how perception can differ between markets. Since that Costa Rica match, Gordon’s record for England has been starkly different – only two goals and one assist in his first eighteen caps, compared with a flood of decisive actions in the last ten games.
He has proved he can rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest, whether it’s delivering a winning goal in a World Cup semi‑final or providing match‑changing strikes in Nations League clashes against Spain and the Czech Republic. His self‑belief has always been evident. At his Barcelona unveiling, the 25‑year‑old spoke confidently in Spanish about having dreamed of wearing the Blaugrana since the age of three, a statement that underscored his long‑term preparation and ambition. The World Cup run has only bolstered that confidence, and it also cemented his place in history as the first English player signed permanently by Barcelona since Gary Lineker, four decades ago.
He has hit the ground running at the Camp Nou, with fans quickly embracing him after he recorded four assists in his first six LaLiga appearances – double the number he managed in his final Premier League season and the joint‑highest total in the league this campaign. Deco continues to publicly encourage Gordon to sharpen his finishing, but his recent England form suggests that goal‑scoring will follow naturally.
Whether he can sustain his bright start in Catalonia and maintain his scoring touch for England, or if consistency will remain his greatest challenge, remains to be seen. One thing is clear: if he can keep delivering, both club and country will possess a truly valuable asset.