Ian Wright singles out Newcastle United player


 
 
 
 
 
 

Interesting comments from Ian Wright.

The former Arsenal and England striker singling out one particular Newcastle United player.

Ian Wright talking about Anthony Gordon.

Ian Wright speaking on his Wrighty’s House podcast:

“With Anthony Gordon, we are looking at a player who has gone somewhere and has blossomed.

“What Eddie Howe has done for him.

“His movement in off the line.

“His finishing.

“His energy.

“We are now looking at a winger who has firmly put himself in the picture for the Euros.

“Anthony Gordon looks like a problem [in terms of somebody else Southgate has to consider for his squad].

“He is a problem.

“He is bringing seven out of ten performances every week… eight, nines maybe.

“His consistency has gone somewhere else.

“Eddie Howe has got to take a lot of credit for the way he has nurtured him into an England international.”

The basic facts are that in 29 Premier League starts and one sub appearance this season, Anthony Gordon has scored ten PL goals and got eight assists. As well as scoring one goal in the FA Cup this season.

More that though, his workrate has been exceptional, his willingness to track back excellent, whilst his versatility playing all across the frontline has been top notch.

Only an idiot wouldn’t be selecting him for Germany…

As it happens, I think Southgate will take Gordon for sure to the Euros. If any doubt before, surely that blown away when he finally gave the Newcastle player his chance and Gordon impressing against Belgium and in particular, the Brazil match when starting.

The idea that he might somehow be behind Rashford who can hardly be bothered half the time now, nor Grealish who is a shadow of his former self and struggles to even get a game for Man City now, well, it would be beyond laughable.

He surely has to be in England’s 23 man squad now and then there is even the strong possibility that UEFA will very soon confirm that it will be 26 man squads for this summer’s Euros, as has been the case in recent major tournaments.

On the Newcastle United / club side of things, it was always a case of NUFC buying raw talent and potential.

Anthony Gordon was 21 and had started only 42 Premier League games in his entire career, when Eddie Howe signed him for £40m plus £5m of potential future add-ons.

He was a young player who arrived not even fit from a joke of a club, he had been treated appallingly by both Everton and their fans, as they looked to find a scapegoat for their massive wider problems. The reality was that Everton themselves were desperate to sell Anthony Gordon, as they desperately tried far too late to regain ground that would stop them breaking rules for overspending.

Eddie Howe, as he has with pretty much every signing, handled Anthony Gordon brilliantly. Giving him time to get properly fit and acclimatise to now at last being at a properly run club where he would be supported and appreciated.

As Ian Wright points out, the rewards have been massive for Howe’s intelligent approach, Anthony Gordon is arguably Newcastle United’s player of the year.