Anthony Gordon believes Newcastle United has the potential to achieve great things this season, emphasizing the team's ability to compete with any opponent. His comments come after Newcastle's dominant 4-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels in the Champions League.
Following a mixed start to the season, where Newcastle won just two of eight games in all competitions, including a 3-2 defeat to Liverpool, the win in Brussels has boosted the team's confidence. Gordon highlighted the importance of maintaining their defensive structure and creativity, asserting that these qualities enable them to beat any team. He pointed to their performance against Liverpool, even with 10 men, as evidence of their capabilities.
Gordon himself played a crucial role in the victory over Union Saint-Gilloise, scoring two penalties. He expressed confidence in his penalty-taking abilities, stating he had been practicing for weeks in advance. Nick Woltemade, Anthony Elanga and Gordon all started the match together. Gordon also praised Woltemade's performance, particularly his link-up play and ability to hold the ball, which allowed other players to get involved in the game.
Newcastle's Champions League campaign began with a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at home, making the win in Brussels crucial for their qualification hopes. The victory, which was the biggest UCL win in club history, puts them "on the board" in the competition. With two upcoming home games in the Champions League, there is an opportunity to build momentum.
Despite the positive result, Gordon stressed the importance of focusing on one game at a time, given the number of games and competitions the team is involved in. He acknowledged that the new players in the team need time to gel, but noted the promising signs of their developing relationships on the field.
In an interview with The Mail, Gordon reflected on a mentally draining 2024, which included a challenging summer transfer window and limited playing time at EURO 2024. He admitted that he thought he was going to leave for Liverpool at one point due to PSR. Despite the difficulties, Gordon emphasized that he is now refreshed and fully focused on Newcastle. He stated that his priority is to perform well for Newcastle, as that is how he earned his place in the England squad.
Looking back at the previous season, Gordon had a "mixed bag", with nine goals and seven assists. Some reports suggested that Newcastle would be willing to trade him.
Gordon has made 62 Premier League starts in the past two seasons, contributing 17 goals and 15 assists. Despite his contributions, he has faced criticism from some fans, which he finds unbelievable. He was Newcastle's player of the season for the 2024/25 season.
Responding to critics, Gordon issued a three-word warning: "Never doubt us". He acknowledged that Newcastle's start to the season had been lacking spark and creativity, but emphasized their desire to bring that back against Union Saint-Gilloise. He expressed his belief that hard work will lead to positive results and that the team is confident in their abilities.
