Anthony Gordon has shared his thoughts on the contrasting styles of football in England and Spain following his move from Newcastle to Barcelona. The winger believes the Premier League boasts greater intensity and physical demands, but also recognises the higher technical and tactical requirements in La Liga.
Gordon remarked:
I won’t deny that the Premier League is incredibly intense. The pace doesn’t drop, there’s physicality everywhere, and a lot of long balls and set pieces. That’s why many English players consider it the best league in the world.
I loved playing in the Premier League, and it played a massive role in my development. But Spanish football demands a different level of tactical and technical thought.
In England, the intensity sometimes allows you to hide mistakes. You can mishandle the ball but recover by winning the next duel through physicality. Here, a poor first touch or positional error can be punished instantly. There’s less space, decisions need to be made more quickly, and your actions on the ball must be cleaner.
The player also suggested that adapting to the Spanish style might prove challenging for some English clubs:
Some Premier League teams would struggle to consistently play in that style because they might lack the patience or necessary quality in midfield. This isn’t disrespectful—it’s just what I've noticed in my first few games. It requires a different footballing mindset.
Since joining Barcelona, Gordon has delivered three assists in his first three La Liga matches.
