The United winger looks set to leave Tyneside this summer but that should not mean diehards turn against him
Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon
Another summer, another big star heading for the Newcastle United exits, but the difference between Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak couldn’t be more stark.
As now seems likely, Gordon could have just three more games left as a Newcastle player, with interest in his signature growing by the day.
Bayern Munich have made their intentions clear, although whether they are willing to pay what United will demand is another matter, but there are a host of other clubs across Europe monitoring the situation closely.
Gordon has not featured in the first-team since the defeat at Crystal Palace almost a month ago, with a hip injury keeping him out of the defeats to Bournemouth and Arsenal, before he was an unused substitute in the win over Brighton last weekend.
Another full week of training will mean he is now closer to starting against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and all eyes will be on the teamsheet at the City Ground to see if Eddie Howe includes him in his line-up.
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The United head coach has insisted that he will not pick anyone who is not 100 per cent committed to the cause – quite rightly – but has stressed that he is not referring specifically to Gordon.
The England star has not made any waves behind the scenes, and unlike Isak last summer, has continued to train and play his normal role with the first-team squad.
Instead, it’s said that at 25, and with Newcastle not in next season’s Champions League, he is keen to explore other options open to him.
As hard as it may be to swallow, it’s a difficult to take too much umbrage against that view, and it’s why if and when he does next take to the pitch in a Newcastle United shirt, he should be afforded the same support as any other player.
While Isak kicked up a stink during pre-season, Gordon has continued to go about his job in a professional manner, and that has to be applauded.
If we’re quick to castigate Isak’s approach, then we should be equally as quick to acknowledge that Gordon has done the opposite – although the end result will remain the same.
United fans know what he has done for the club, especially this season when he has often been asked to play out of position as a central striker.
No one has more goal involvements for Newcastle this term than Gordon’s 22, and the fact he sits joint third in the list of Champions League goalscorers tells you all you need to know.
Isak scored plenty of goals, and how United miss them, but the way he approached his exit meant he was public enemy No 1 on Tyneside. That should not be the case for Gordon. After all, he couild yet play a big part in firing Newcastle towards an unlikely European spot this term.
He deserves the continued support of the black-and-white legions, both home and away, and I’ve got a feeling he will get it.