Shearer and Richards Agree on Ex-Newcastle Star’s England Impact
The Anthony Gordon England story took another twist this week, and Alan Shearer did not hide his admiration. Newcastle United’s record goalscorer watched his old winger help inspire a 2-0 Nations League win over Czechia. Shearer then praised Gordon alongside Micah Richards on their podcast.
Czechia played much of the game with ten men. Pavel Sulc was sent off early, yet Thomas Tuchel’s side still needed real quality to break the visitors down. Gordon supplied it, scoring the opener before Harry Kane added a second. It capped a fine week for the winger, who had also scored in England’s 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley.
Shearer has offered plenty of strong opinions this month. He featured in a recent debate involving Shearer’s analysis of a Newcastle penalty call, and he also marked Shearer’s milestone anniversary celebrations on Tyneside. This time, though, there was no argument to be had.
Gordon impressed me. Trent [Alexander-Arnold], I thought it was a brilliant ball. You know what it’s like when you go away to those places, it’s tough, you’ve just got to get in there. It would have been a better test if he [Sulc] hadn’t been sent off, but by and large, I mean they got caught on the counterattack a couple of times in the 1st 15 minutes or so, England. But I thought Gordon was the pick of the bunch, didn’t you?
That was Shearer’s verdict on The Rest Is Football podcast, as reported by Chronicle Live. Richards needed no persuading.
Yeah, I thought he was terrific. I thought he was positive, took his goal really well, a brilliant ball in from Trent. I thought every time he got the ball, I thought he was a threat. The defender didn’t know whether he was going to try and cut inside, and a lot of the time he went on the outside. Late in the game, he clipped a lovely ball in, I think it was Morgan Rodgers, that missed a header, so yeah, I thought he was without doubt the pick of the bunch, Anthony Gordon.
Inside Gordon’s Fast Start at Barcelona Following £69m St James’ Park Exit
Gordon’s rise with England follows a whirlwind summer. He left Newcastle for Barcelona in a £69million deal, swapping St James’ Park for Hansi Flick’s project in Catalonia. The move has done nothing to slow the Anthony Gordon England momentum. If anything, it has sharpened it.
He made his competitive debut for Barcelona in August, in a 5-2 win over Elche. Gordon set up two goals that afternoon. It was an instant statement from a player some expected to need time to settle.
There has been little sign of any adjustment period since. Newcastle fans tracking his progress from afar have watched a winger who looks completely at home in one of Europe’s biggest dressing rooms.
The Data Behind Gordon’s Strikeforce and Partnership With Lewis Hall
The numbers back up what the eye sees. Gordon added three more assists in Barcelona games against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia, taking his early tally to five in a matter of weeks. Flick’s side have won all seven league matches so far this season, and Gordon has been a constant thread through that run.
Richards believes the change goes beyond numbers on a stat sheet.
Gordon, more than his performance, his interviews are absolutely amazing, very smart, very articulate, knows what he wants, he’s got a different kind of confidence where he believes in his ability. He talked about how he always thought he would go to Barcelona. He believed in himself and the thing is, when you have that confidence, you have to deliver, and that’s what he’s got into his game now. He’s already scoring for England and looks like the player the rest of the guys can rely on, which is a very good sign. They were a threat down there. Him and Lewis Hall obviously know each other and did well with the understanding [they have].
That last point will strike a chord with Newcastle supporters. Lewis Hall, still on the club’s books, started at left-back for England and combined smoothly with his former teammate down that flank. Their understanding, built on the Newcastle training ground, has carried straight through to international level.
What Gordon’s International Rise Means for England and Newcastle Fans
Gordon and Hall are next in action for England against Croatia, before facing Czechia again on 6 October. Another strong display would only add weight to the case Shearer and Richards have already made.
For Newcastle fans, there is real pride in watching an academy-shaped talent thrive on the biggest stages, even after his departure. The Anthony Gordon England conversation shows no sign of quietening down, and neither does his form at Barcelona.
Two clubs now share a stake in his story, but it was Tyneside that shaped him. Shearer’s verdict, and Richards’ agreement, only confirm what Newcastle fans already suspected: Gordon is now one of English football’s most dangerous wide players.
