Anthony Gordon has opened up about his reasons for wanting to venture beyond England, suggesting that during his tenure at Newcastle, he was often reduced to being seen merely as a speedy, aggressive footballer, without recognition of his other abilities.
Gordon made the switch from Newcastle to Barcelona this summer. During his time with the English club, he made 152 appearances, netting 39 goals and providing 21 assists. Since moving to Spain, he has already tallied four assists in his first six La Liga matches.
The winger expressed:
I think now many see me as a different player. In England, I always felt that I was valued for my speed and pressing, but my footballing qualities and understanding of the game weren’t truly recognised. It seems only my teammates understood that.
According to Gordon, the perception of his game has shifted in Spain:
I don’t think I was ever truly valued in England. People saw me as a very fast and aggressive player, whereas in Spain, they genuinely appreciate my understanding of the game and technical skills.
He also pointed out the differences between the styles of play at Newcastle and Barcelona:
At Barcelona, a lack of technique or football intelligence becomes immediately apparent. Newcastle played at a very high tempo, so speed and aggression were always at the forefront.
Now I'm playing in a completely different style, and people can see other qualities in me.
For Gordon, relocating abroad was a crucial decision:
I felt I was capable of more than what people thought of me, and I wanted to prove that on the biggest stage. It was really important for me to move abroad.
