It feels like ages ago when Anthony Gordon’s place in the England starting eleven was anything but guaranteed. The turning point arrived in the final warm‑up match before the World Cup, a friendly against Costa Rica, where Gordon found the net once and created another goal. That performance finally convinced the coaching staff to hand him a place on the bench for the opening group game against Croatia.
Even then, a number of Sky Sports journalists remained skeptical, waiting for more proof that he belonged at the highest level. Fast forward just three months, and Gordon has become a regular fixture on Thomas Tuchel’s matchday line‑up, regarded as one of the most valuable attacking options at England’s disposal. After a tentative start to the tournament – England were held to goalless draws against Croatia and Ghana – Gordon was omitted for the must‑win final group encounter with Panama.
Upon his return, he repaid the faith by providing the assists for both of Harry Kane’s goals in the dramatic comeback victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo. His influence did not stop there. In the Nations League clash with Norway he added another assist, and in the semi‑final against Argentina he scored the decisive goal that sent England to the final. Those contributions have propelled both the nation and Gordon himself into the spotlight.
The Barcelona winger now boasts a four‑match international scoring streak – the longest run by any England player other than Harry Kane in almost six years. Such a run would be impressive for any footballer, let alone one whose attacking output had been heavily questioned right up to the eve of the summer tournament. Prior to the World Cup, Gordon struggled to translate his club form into the England shirt, but the recent run has seen him involved in ten goals – either scoring or assisting – in his last ten appearances for his country.
That places him in the most potent front four currently operating in international football. His reputation had taken a hit during a difficult final season at Newcastle United, where under the intense scrutiny of the Premier League he managed only five non‑penalty goal involvements.
The contrast with his earlier spell at the club – when he recorded four times that number – was stark, and many pundits questioned whether he could deliver on the world stage. Gordon himself admitted, in an interview with ITV before the World Cup camp, that he felt his "quality and football IQ" had been undervalued by English fans. Nevertheless, his underlying talent has always been evident.
The first two seasons at Newcastle, together with his brief stint at Everton, displayed flashes of brilliance. The real issue, according to most coaches, has been consistency rather than ability.
Barcelona saw an opportunity to resurrect his form even before the tournament began. Sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick, following Tuchel’s endorsement, decided to sign Gordon ahead of the more high‑profile Marcus Rashford, paying more than double what a typical England teammate would command. Few outside Spain noticed that Gordon’s ten goals in twelve Champions League games last season placed him just behind Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé in the competition’s scoring charts, even as he scored against future Barcelona rivals during the group phase.
Yet his performances did not escape the watchful eyes at the Camp Nou. 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 the winger’s "intensity" that attracted the club. The paradox highlights how perception can differ between markets. The 25‑year‑old has undeniably elevated his game over the past few months, both domestically and internationally.
Before the Costa Rica friendly he had recorded just two goals and a single assist across his first eighteen England caps. Since then, he has demonstrated an ability to rise to the occasion in high‑stakes matches – delivering in a World Cup semi‑final and providing match‑changing strikes in the Nations League against Spain and the Czech Republic. Gordon’s self‑belief has always been a hallmark of his character. He revealed at his Barcelona unveiling that he had dreamed of wearing the club’s jersey since the age of three, and he delivered his introductory speech fluently in Spanish, underscoring his preparation and confidence.
The World Cup run has only amplified that confidence, and he now carries the distinction of being the first English player signed permanently by Barcelona since Gary Lineker four decades ago. He hit the ground running at the Nou Camp, with fans quickly sharing viral clips of his early performances. In his first six LaLiga outings he has already supplied four assists – double the tally he managed in his final Premier League season and the joint‑highest total in the league this campaign.
Deco continues to publicly urge Gordon to sharpen his finishing, but his recent England scoring streak suggests that improvement is already underway. Whether he can sustain his bright start in Catalonia and maintain his goal‑scoring form for England, or if consistency will remain his biggest hurdle, remains to be seen. One thing is clear: if he manages to keep this trajectory, both club and country will possess a truly serious attacking asset.