Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick stated that Anthony Gordon has encountered a completely different training approach since his summer move from Newcastle for £70 million. He noted that the English winger did not expect such a change but is successfully adapting to the demands of the Catalan club.
Gordon spent three and a half seasons at Newcastle, scoring 39 goals in 152 appearances. During this time, he played in the Champions League twice and won the EFL Cup.
In the summer of 2026, the Englishman moved to Barcelona, where he quickly became an important player under Flick. Prior to the Champions League match against Aston Villa, he had scored three goals and provided five assists in 13 appearances.
Flick: "Players usually do not train at Newcastle after matches"
In an interview with TNT Sports, the German coach explained why Gordon needed time to adapt to his new team.
Usually, players at Newcastle do not train after matches, so everything is completely different here.
I think our training process has also been unfamiliar for him. It's not at all how he expected.
As far as I understood from his words, they typically do not conduct training after matches at Newcastle, so everything is different here. But he is coping well. I am very pleased with his qualities and the impact he is having on our game. Plus, he is a nice guy.
Gordon: "Now I am fighting for every trophy"
The player himself previously spoke to the Spanish outlet Sport about how his objectives have changed throughout his career.
At Everton, I spent two or three years fighting for survival. That was tough. At Newcastle, we aimed to qualify for the Champions League and move up the table. And now with Barcelona, I am fighting for every trophy.
I have had completely different objectives at all three clubs. I enjoyed each of those stages because they all taught me something. Such experiences help me grow both as a person and as a footballer. But the fight for every possible trophy is undoubtedly the most enjoyable.
Barcelona are currently at the top of the La Liga table and are among the contenders for the Champions League title.
Emotional farewell to Newcastle
After his transfer, Gordon addressed fans of his former club, thanking them for their support.
Newcastle, the three and a half seasons flew by unnoticed, and it feels like I have spent my whole life here.
I came as a very young lad who had just left home and did not know what awaited him. But from day one, I realised I was in the right place. I chose Newcastle because I felt my ambitions aligned with those of the club, staff, and players. Even after the first training session, I knew I had to be here.
I am incredibly grateful to my teammates, the club staff, and the coaching staff for every day spent together. Without you, without how you made me better every day and the special relationships we built, I would not be the person and footballer I am today.
Despite the unfamiliar training load, Gordon already regularly features for Barcelona. Judging by Flick's comments, the coach is pleased with how the Englishman is settling in with his new team.
