Anthony Gordon
English footballer.
Anthony Michael Gordon is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a winger for Premier League club Newcastle United. Born on February 24, 2001, in Liverpool, Gordon has quickly risen to prominence in English football.Gordon began his senior career with Everton, making his first-team debut in December 2017 in a Europa League match. He made his Premier League debut in January 2020 and gradually established himself as a regular in the Everton squad over the next two seasons. In the 2021-22 season, Gordon became a key player for Everton, making 35 Premier League appearances and scoring four goals.In January 2023, Gordon made a high-profile move to Newcastle United for a reported initial fee of £40 million, potentially rising to £45 million with add-ons.
His transition to Newcastle was initially challenging, but he found his form in the 2023-24 season. Gordon's performances improved significantly, earning him Newcastle United's Player of the Season award. He demonstrated his goal-scoring ability by matching Alan Shearer's streak of scoring in four consecutive league home matches.
Early life & youth football
Anthony Gordon's early life and youth career were shaped by his experiences in Liverpool. Born to parents Nadine and Keith Gordon, he is of Irish and Scottish descent. Gordon's football journey began at a young age, initially joining Liverpool's youth academy. However, he was released by Liverpool at the age of 11.Following his release from Liverpool, Gordon joined Everton's youth academy in 2012. He progressed through the ranks at Everton, impressing at various youth levels.
His performances in Everton's youth teams, including winning the U18 Premier League, U18 Premier League Cup, and FA Youth Cup with the under-18 side in the 2017-18 season, caught the attention of the first-team coaching staff. This led to his inclusion in the senior squad for a Europa League match in December 2017, marking the beginning of his transition to professional football.
Professional career
Anthony Gordon made his first-team debut for Everton on December 7, 2017, in a Europa League match against Apollon Limassol. He came on as an 88th-minute substitute in a 3-0 win, marking his first appearance for the senior squad at just 16 years old.However, Gordon's Premier League debut came much later, on January 18, 2020, when he came on as a substitute for Bernard in a 1-1 draw with West Ham United. This marked the beginning of his involvement with the first team in the league.
During the 2019/20 season, Gordon made 11 Premier League appearances for Everton, all but one of them as a substitute. He received his first Premier League start on June 26, 2020, in a 0-0 draw with Liverpool. While he didn't score any goals in the league that season, these appearances were crucial in establishing him as a part of Everton's first-team squad and setting the stage for his increased involvement in subsequent seasons. In the 2020/21 season, Anthony Gordon initially struggled to secure regular playing time at Everton.
He made only three Premier League appearances for the Toffees in the first half of the season, all as a substitute. He also featured in two EFL Cup matches and two FA Cup games during this period.On February 1, 2021, Gordon joined Championship club Preston North End on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season. This move was aimed at providing him with more first-team experience.
He made his debut for Preston five days later, starting in a 2–1 home league defeat against Rotherham United.During his loan spell at Preston, Gordon made 11 appearances in the Championship, including five starts. While he didn't score any goals, the experience of regular first-team football in a competitive league was valuable for his development. The loan move provided Gordon with important playing time and exposure to senior football, which would prove beneficial for his career progression.
In the 2021/22 season, Anthony Gordon established himself as a regular first-team player for Everton in the Premier League. He made 35 Premier League appearances, including 25 starts, showcasing his growing importance to the team.Gordon scored his first Premier League goals during this season, netting four times in total. His first goals for Everton came on January 2, 2022, when he scored twice in a 3-2 loss to Brighton.
He followed this up with goals against Leeds United and Manchester United later in the season.In addition to his goal-scoring, Gordon provided two assists in the league. His performances were particularly crucial as Everton struggled against relegation, with his energy and direct running providing a spark for the team. One of his most notable contributions came in the 1-0 win over Manchester United on April 9, where he scored the only goal of the game.
Gordon's performances did not go unnoticed, and he was named Everton's Young Player of the Year by both the senior team and the club's supporters. His breakthrough season also attracted interest from other clubs, with Chelsea reportedly showing interest during the summer transfer window. Anthony Gordon's 2022/23 season was split between Everton and Newcastle United, marking a significant transition in his career.At Everton, Gordon started the season strongly, scoring his first goals of the campaign in back-to-back matches against Brentford and Leeds United.
He made 16 Premier League appearances for Everton in the first half of the season, including 12 starts, and scored 3 goals. However, his time at Everton was not without controversy. He was suspended for one match due to yellow card accumulation and was involved in a scuffle with Kieran Trippier during a match against Newcastle, which resulted in both players being booked.Gordon's last appearance for Everton came as a 69th-minute substitute against Southampton.
Following this match, he and teammate Yerry Mina were reportedly harassed by a small section of Everton supporters, highlighting the tensions surrounding his potential departure. During the January transfer window, Sky Sports reported that Gordon had failed to show up to training in an attempt to force a move away from the club.On January 29, 2023, Gordon joined Newcastle United on a long-term contract after submitting a formal transfer request to Everton. The transfer fee was reported by BBC Sport to be an initial £40 million, potentially rising to £45 million with add-ons.
Gordon made his Newcastle debut on February 4 as a 69th-minute substitute in a 1-1 draw against West Ham United. His first start for Newcastle came on March 4 in a 2-0 loss to Manchester City, but he was substituted after 62 minutes. An ankle injury subsequently sidelined him for two matches.Upon his return, Gordon was primarily used as a substitute.
A notable incident occurred on April 8 against Brentford, where he was subbed on at half-time but then taken off later in the game. This led to a visible show of frustration towards manager Eddie Howe, who later explained the substitution was due to Gordon's ongoing ankle issue.Gordon's first goal for Newcastle came on May 28 in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. In total, he made 16 Premier League appearances for Newcastle in the second half of the season, including 4 starts, scoring 1 goal.
Anthony Gordon's 2023/24 season with Newcastle United marked a significant breakthrough in his career, establishing him as a key player for the team.Gordon made 35 Premier League appearances for Newcastle, including 34 starts, demonstrating his importance to the squad. He scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in the league, showcasing his improved productivity and impact on the team's attacking play.The season started positively for Gordon, with him assisting Sandro Tonali for the opening goal in a 5-1 win over Aston Villa on August 12, 2023.
He scored his first home goal for Newcastle on August 27 in a 2-1 defeat against his boyhood club Liverpool.Gordon's form continued to improve throughout the season. On December 2, he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, matching Alan Shearer's streak from 1999 by scoring in four consecutive league home matches. This goal highlighted Gordon's growing confidence and ability to perform in big games.
His consistent performances throughout the season earned him Newcastle United's Player of the Season award, a testament to his importance to the team and his personal development.In total, Gordon was involved in 21 goals (11 goals, 10 assists) across his 35 Premier League appearances. His shot accuracy improved significantly, with 31 shots on target out of 81 attempts. Gordon also showed his versatility, often playing on the left wing but also capable of operating on the right or in a more central role.
Gordon's successful season helped Newcastle secure a 7th place finish in the Premier League, with the team accumulating 60 points. His performances were crucial in helping Newcastle balance domestic commitments with their return to European competition.Overall, the 2023/24 season was a breakout year for Anthony Gordon at Newcastle United, seeing him transform from a promising talent to a key player for the team.
National team
Gordon's international career has primarily been with England's youth teams, progressing through various age groups. He made his debut for the England under-18s in September 2018 and went on to represent the under-19s, making seven appearances and scoring two goals at that level.Gordon's performances at the club level earned him a call-up to the England under-20s, where he made his debut in October 2020. His development continued with the under-21s, receiving his first call-up in November 2021.
Gordon made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut in a 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match.The highlight of Gordon's international career to date came in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He was a key player in England's successful campaign, scoring in the group stage against Israel and netting the only goal in the quarter-final victory over Portugal. Gordon started in the final as England defeated Spain to win the tournament. His performances throughout the competition were exceptional, earning him the Player of the Tournament award and a place in the Team of the Tournament.Gordon's impressive displays at the under-21 level led to his first senior England call-up in March 2024 for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
He made his senior debut on March 23, 2024, starting in England's 1-0 defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium. Gordon was subsequently named in England's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024, marking his inclusion in a major tournament at the senior level
Player’s style
Gordon's style of play is characterized by his pace, dribbling ability, and versatility in attacking positions. Primarily deployed as a left winger, Gordon is equally comfortable playing on the right flank or in a central attacking midfield role. His speed and agility make him a constant threat on the counter-attack and in one-on-one situations against defenders.Gordon possesses excellent technical skills, particularly his close ball control and ability to beat defenders.
He averages 1.7 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, showcasing his capability to progress the ball and create opportunities in the final third. His crossing ability is also noteworthy, with a 31% accuracy rate, making him a valuable asset in creating chances for teammates.While primarily known for his attacking contributions, Gordon has shown improvement in his defensive work rate and pressing ability.
His energy and willingness to track back make him a valuable asset in teams that employ a high-pressing system. Gordon's versatility and well-rounded skill set make him a modern, dynamic forward suited to the demands of Premier League football.