Anthony Gordon: From £75 Million Transfer Talk to Newcastle's Stuttering Campaign

How Newcastle United utilizes Anthony Gordon against Liverpool at St James’ Park tonight has been a central theme in the build-up to the game. The fact that Gordon will be in a black and white shirt, rather than a red one, is significant. Just five months ago, a £75 million ($95.3m) transfer between the clubs was under discussion, with defender Joe Gomez potentially moving to Newcastle for £45m. This potential deal, however, was a fleeting consideration for Newcastle, who were in a rush to comply with Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by June 30th. The sale of Gordon was deemed a 'nuclear option'.

Newcastle's Decision to Keep Gordon

Ultimately, Newcastle felt that Liverpool couldn't finalize the transfer quickly enough, and the June deadline passed without Gordon leaving. There were some initial concerns among first-team sources that Gordon's focus was impacted by the possibility of a move to his boyhood club, Liverpool. However, in October, Newcastle confirmed Gordon signed a new long-term contract, rewarding him for his impressive 2023-24 Premier League season that saw him score 11 goals and record 10 assists. This season however, Gordon has only managed two goals and one assist in 12 appearances, raising questions about the decision to make him one of the club's top earners.

Gordon's Value and Potential

Despite his recent struggles, Gordon remains a valuable asset for Newcastle. His combination of durability, pace, directness, work ethic, and versatility is rare for a winger. While he possesses many qualities of other wingers, few combine them in the same way he does. This is why, despite his inconsistent form, he’s still arguably Newcastle’s most prized asset. The challenge now is to prove this consistently. He must repay the faith the club has shown in him. This makes the upcoming match a crucial opportunity for Gordon to regain form and justify the faith of his club and fans.

Gordon's Acquisition: A Calculated Gamble

Going back to January 2023, Gordon's £40 million transfer initially raised eyebrows; many questioned Newcastle's focus on acquiring him considering they were already aiming for Champions League qualification. However, manager Eddie Howe was convinced of Gordon's potential, believing he had the raw attributes to become a top-class attacker. Crucially, Andy Howe, the club's assistant head of recruitment, played a significant role in advocating for his signing. Andy's long-term interest in Gordon, stemming from his time at Bournemouth, proved vital in the acquisition. Newcastle’s scouting team were thoroughly impressed by Gordon’s personality, his commitment to improving, and the belief that his attacking capabilities would improve. Though the initial price of £40 million was viewed by some within Newcastle as financially risky due to PSR constraints, Eddie and Andy Howe pushed for the signing believing he fit their playing style perfectly.

Gordon's Performance Analysis: A Tale of Two Seasons

Last season, Gordon delivered game-defining performances, largely justifying his price tag. His value almost doubled as he became one of only five Premier League players to reach double figures for both goals and assists. He provided a goal contribution at a rate of 0.65 per 90 minutes (0.34 goals, 0.31 assists), and his contributions were often critical. His durability and versatility also shone through, playing 84% of total minutes across all competitions. However, the current season paints a starkly different picture. His goal and assist numbers have significantly dropped, along with many other attacking metrics, indicating a regression in form. In fact, his home and away performances show a worrying trend; only 25% of his goal involvements this season have come away from St James' Park.

Impact of Injuries and International Duty

Newcastle's head coach, Eddie Howe, acknowledged that the summer period was “unsettling” for Gordon and his performance has suffered since. His limited playing time at the European Championship, only appearing once as an 89th-minute substitute, meant a shortened preseason and a potential dent to his confidence. Despite a fan-dedicated pre-match display designed to boost his morale, flashes of quality have been infrequent, and his apparent frustration when deployed on the right wing is becoming increasingly noticeable. While his contract increase was deserved based on previous performances, the time has come for him to start consistently demonstrating his worth.

The Liverpool Clash: A Crucial Test

The upcoming game against Liverpool presents a vital opportunity for Gordon to prove himself. A match-defining performance could inject fresh momentum into Newcastle's stuttering campaign and reaffirm his importance to the team. This is more crucial than ever as Newcastle face pressure from their fans, and Liverpool appear to be in formidable form, having beaten both Real Madrid and Manchester City in recent matches. Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, is aware of the challenge posed by Newcastle; he’s recognized St. James’ Park as a notoriously difficult venue, highlighting Newcastle’s recent home wins against Arsenal and Chelsea. Liverpool will also be without several key players due to injury, so there's an opportunity for Newcastle to exploit this.

Looking Ahead: A Turning Point?

The future of Anthony Gordon is filled with possibilities. He could rise to the challenge and remind everyone of his abilities, becoming a pivotal player for Newcastle. Conversely, his decline could continue, making his high wages a cause for concern. Ultimately, tonight’s match against Liverpool is a significant moment for Gordon, a chance to change his trajectory and demonstrate his talent once again. His performance will influence not only the match's outcome but also potentially his future with Newcastle United. The eyes of many will be on him. The pressure is on.