What can Newcastle expect from Anthony Gordon in 2023/24
In patches at Everton Newcastle fans could see the type of player Gordon was about; lighting quick pace, running in behind, with quick feet, and great finishing. This was combined with tenacity and a fighting ‘edge’ and he demonstrated this in a fiery early encounter between Newcastle and Everton when Gordon clashed with numerous players, notably Magpies captain Kieran Trippier.
In the period that Newcastle was linked to Gordon, such suggestion of signing him left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Newcastle faithful, in a way he had successfully wound up half of Newcastle with his antics against them – which is quite some doing for the player.
This attitude did change after Newcastle signed the winger in January from Everton. However, eyebrows were raised at the price tag paid for the England under-21 youngster: a sizeable 45 million pounds.
Howe slowly integrated Gordon into the side, and in the final game of the season against Chelsea, Gordon scored his first Newcastle goal. It was a tidy finish after a great cross from the left by Elliot Anderson.
At the conclusion of the final whistle, in an interview with NUFC TV Gordon expressed he was relieved to be finally up and running for the club and get his first goal.
In an honest assessment of his performances since he had arrived at the club he said he was not fit enough, and he had not performed to the levels he was capable of.
Also, he said that in general, it had been a testing year, along with his transfer.
Gordon’s performance and numbers in 2022/23
This season, after joining in January Gordon played 16 times but started only four matches scoring a solitary goal for the Magpies. Howe was assured in slowly bringing Gordon into the first team. For the whole 2022/23 campaign the younger winger recorded 4 goals (including the first half of the season at Everton).
For sure, Newcastle fans expected more from Gordon upon his arrival at the club but with his fitness level and Howe wanting to integrate him properly with the first team, his lack of minutes definitely affected his contribution to the team.
That being said, at the time when Gordon joined the club the team was flying and it always seemed unlikely that Eddie Howe would change a winning team formula, by forcing the introduction of the new signing.
Frequently, Gordon would come to the bench and many times was used to fill in central midfield, which is not his natural position, this was something Howe was forced into following injuries to key midfielders such Longstaff (with the midfield a priority to strengthen this summer).
Looking onto next season
With it being his first season, Gordon is bound to perform better next season with a full preseason under his belt, and even prior to this Gordon himself believes he will be fitter and sharper because he will be playing with England U21s at the European Championships – which will give him further match fitness and game time.
Preseason will also give Howe and his coaches chances to work with Gordon on where he can elevate his game so he can seamlessly fit into the team, especially when it comes to working on his tactical role and the technical side of the game.
With all this in place, the Newcastle faithful will hope to see Anthony Gordon back to his best as a tricky winger – laying on assists and scoring goals, whilst terrifying defences with his pace.
Want your voice heard? Join the Newcastle Toons team!