Gordon has spoken out after his big move to Barcelona
(Image: Europa Press Sports, Europa Press via Getty Images)
Anthony Gordon has opened up on his move from Newcastle United to Barcelona and said it has been the ‘best two weeks of his life’.
The forward quit Tyneside and joined the Spanish giants in a move worth an initial £69.3million, which could rise to around £75m with add-ons.
The 25-year-old completed the move before jetting off to the World Cup with England. He called the last couple of weeks ‘a whirlwind’ but in his first full interview since the transfer, he says this is where he feels his career properly starts despite everything he achieved with Newcastle and Everton.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind of two weeks, but the best two weeks I’ve ever had for me and my family,” Gordon told talkSPORT after appearing for England in their 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand.
“It’s been really good because I’ve told them from a very young age, I said in my interview, that I would get to this point. But they were saying to me, congrats and stuff and this and that.
“I’m not satisfied at all to just play for Barcelona. I want to win everything. This is where my career begins in my mind. So I’m at the stage I always said I was going to be. Now I need to get to the next level again.”
Gordon came on as a half-time substitute for England in the Raymond James Stadium, Florida as the Three Lions kicked off their preparations for the World Cup with a hard-fought win against New Zealand thanks to Harry Kane’s goal on the stroke of the interval.
Anthony Gordon is put under pressure by Tim Payne of New Zealand
It was his first appearance since April 12 when he featured against Crystal Palace, having been an unused substitute in Newcastle’s final four games of the season as Eddie Howe opted not to play him as it became clear he was heading for the exit.
Gordon admitted that there was an element of rustiness to his game after almost two months without a game, but says he feels strong – and he showed some glimpses of form in his performance on the left side of England’s attack.
He added: “I think even when you have two days off football, you feel like you never played a game. It’s crazy. You lose your touch, you lose everything. So not playing for a couple of weeks was difficult, but I’ve trained really well.
“I was fitter than I thought in that game. I’m on track really well, really. It’s difficult because the pitch was dry. So even getting your touch right and just getting used to that was tough.
“But we got there, still thought we created some chances. We haven’t played together for a while. So it’s just getting back in that rhythm.”
Gordon is battling it out with Marcus Rashford for a place in England’s starting XI for the World Cup opener against Croatia on June 17. Manager Thomas Tuchel handed Rashford the No 11 shirt, with Gordon getting No 18 for the tournament, but the forward isn’t reading too much into that.
“I couldn’t care less,” he said. “I think if you go through this team, you could put any player 1-11. We’re all good enough. We’ve all got a case to feel like we’re the best in many ways.
“So I couldn’t care less about the number. I’m here to win for England. I don’t care about me individually, or me personally. It’s not about me.”
Get England’s 1990 Third Shirt for £18.25
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49.99
£18.25
Sports Direct | TopCashback
England’s 1990 Third Shirt is available for £18.25 when shopping through TopCashback. By creating a free account, new members will bag a £15 sign-up bonus and cashback on Sports Direct orders.