eNewcastle United have been through all the emotions under Eddie Howe‘s stewardship, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to imagine the title-winning manager hitting the same high notes that have already been struck.
This has been a tough campaign for the Tynesiders, whose hopes of playing out in Europe next season rely on a late-season purple patch that, even then, may not be enough.
The £125m sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer has knocked the club out of kilter. It is a pity that that one has had an ill effect on all parties involved.
Now, lightning could strike twice, with recent reports revealing that Newcastle’s new talisman, Anthony Gordon, is itching for a new challenge.
Why Anthony Gordon wants to leave Newcastle
Gordon, 24, has been at Newcastle for the lion’s share of Howe’s tenure, ebbing and flowing throughout but undoubtedly marking himself as one of the highest-profile attacking midfielders in the Premier League.
This season has been a tough one for the England international, though he has come into his own over the past several months, scoring ten of his 17 goals since the turn of the calendar year.
His upswing has bred a desire for a change of scenery, with Newcastle potentially kept on the domestic front next season in what has been an undeniable regression under Howe’s wing.
Interest in Gordon is going to be fierce. Liverpool are mooted to be keen on revisiting their interest in the boy who left their academy aged 11, and The Telegraph has since confirmed that he is open to the transfer away from Tyneside.
Anthony Gordon – Career Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals + Assists
Left winger
153
34 + 33
Right winger
54
8 + 8
Centre-forward
30
14 + 2
Attacking midfield
23
13 + 2
He’s become indispensable as a multi-functional attacking star for Howe’s side, and losing him this summer would be detrimental, especially with uncertainty over the future of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
How Newcastle can convince Anthony Gordon to stay
There are a number of variables likely to be at play as Newcastle rework their project with Jose Mourinho one exciting name to be linked in recent days. Whatever happens, it does seem likely that Howe will leave at the end of the season, and it’s crucial that PIF secure the right replacement in the dugout.
According to reports over the past week or so, outgoing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has emerged as a leading contender to take over at St. James’ Park, with talkSPORT confirming this on Thursday morning.
The Spanish tactician has been hailed as “one of the best managers in the Premier League” by transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, and there’s no question that he has done an emphatic job on the south coast, lifting the Cherries up to newfound status as outside European contenders.
While Athletic Bilbao appear to have the lead in the race for his services, Newcastle could tempt the 4-3-3 boss to stay in the Premier League as the head of an ambitious, big-money project.
Moreover, his appointment could convince Gordon to stay put, with the Three Lions star sure to note that Antoine Semenyo was fashioned into a superstar under Iraola’s wing.
Gordon isn’t quite the same winger as Semenyo, but they do share a number of athletic and technical properties, both direct and dangerous across the frontline.
With 17 goals across all competitions this season, Gordon is one of the best in the business. The fact that he has much more to give is only a marker of that.
Howe has perhaps taken his protege as far as he can go, but under Iraola, whose modern attacking style has paid dividends at Bournemouth, Newcastle might just hit the jackpot.
Iraola is currently settled into the Premier League, playing attractive football in an incipient era of direct, grinding play. He would be perfect for Newcastle, but securing his signature isn’t going to be easy.
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