Anthony Gordon's 18-word England comment raises questions about £70m Barcelona transfer

View 2 Images

Anthony Gordon probably didn't intend to set tongues wagging when he spoke to the BBC ahead of England's tepid 0-0 stalemate with Ghana on Tuesday evening. The former Newcastle United winger was simply outlining why he and his colleagues are thriving under Thomas Tuchel , championing England's more direct, high-intensity approach that got fans on the edge of their seats in their World Cup opener against Croatia.

Yet one particular comment will have left many a Newcastle supporter raising an eyebrow. "We want to play [an] athletic style of football. We want to play a Premier League style of football which I think suits me and my strengths," Gordon said on the television broadcast ahead of kick-off.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

"So I need to show that, I need to show when I get the opportunity because we've got some players with a lot of quality who can really put me in good positions, so hopefully we see that today." Which raises one rather straightforward question: if a Premier League style of football plays to your strengths, why have you just walked away from it?

Naturally, there are numerous reasons why a £70 million switch to Barcelona might prove impossible to turn down. Gordon himself described joining the Catalan giants as a "dream", while the appeal of Spanish sunshine and a reported doubling of his wages would be enough to tempt virtually any footballer.

Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!

But consider those 18 words once more: "We want to play a Premier League style of football which I think suits me and my strengths." At St James' Park, Gordon proved the ideal match for Eddie Howe's high-intensity approach, consistently encouraged to press with aggression, exploit space whenever possible and utilise his explosive speed to unsettle opposition back lines.

Newcastle's set-up seemed custom-built for his attributes, and it's therefore hardly surprising that Gordon's finest performances have arrived under Howe's guidance. Barcelona, in stark contrast, present an altogether different proposition.

While they've developed under manager Hansi Flick, their approach remains considerably more possession-oriented and measured than the counter-attacking game Gordon has candidly acknowledged suits him most effectively.

View 2 Images

Anyone questioning how the England international might adjust to a more technical brand of football should look back at Tuesday's goalless draw with Ghana. Gordon found it difficult to impose himself against Auxerre full-back Marvin Senaya, seldom posed a threat in advanced areas and was ultimately withdrawn just past the hour mark as a furious Tuchel hunted for a winner.

Naturally, Gordon could still flourish at Barcelona and silence every doubter. But when the winger himself concedes that a Premier League approach suits him best, it's difficult not to question whether he's just departed the ideal setting for him to excel.

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.