Sport
Thomas Tuchel’s eye was surely drawn to one English player in particular as he took in his first Premier League match as England’s new manager. Having started the job on 1st January, Tuchel was in North London to watch Newcastle United beat Tottenham Hotspur, with Anthony Gordon arguably the best player on the pitch.
Anthony Gordon scored Newcastle’s first goal in the 2-1 victory, firing across the Spurs goalkeeper and into the far corner to produce a moment that highlighted the match-changing quality of the 23-year-old. Tuchel has surely already started imagining how Gordon might fit into his attack as England start preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Of course, Gordon has already been integrated into the national team. He featured prominently in England’s UEFA Nations League campaign which saw The Three Lions promoted back to the top tier of the competition. Gordon has already demonstrated his quality at the elite level of international football.
Tuchel, however, should make the Newcastle winger a central pillar of his new-look England team. Along with Bukayo Saka, Gordon is the wide operator available to the new national team manager and his directness and eye for goal could give England the attacking dimension they desperately lacked at Euro 2024.
England made it all the way to the final of Euro 2024, but were unable to impose themselves on Spain in the showpiece match. This has been a common theme for The Three Lions in recent times. By and large, they have underwhelmed as an attacking outfit, relying on Harry Kane for firepower in the final third.
In Gordon, though, Tuchel will have a brave and irrepressible wide threat who could play an integral role for England at the 2026 World Cup where they will be one of the favourites to win the tournament. Gordon could carry his Newcastle form – two goals and four assists in six games – into 2025 for England.
Lewis Hall could be another Newcastle player who forces his way into the England team in 2025. Tuchel could have an all-Newcastle left wing such is the relationship between Hall and Gordon. There is a natural understanding between the pair who could have a big future together for club and country.
Tuchel has options on the left side of England’s attack. Phil Foden can operate in a wide role while Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford were also used on the left wing by Gareth Southgate. However, all three are currently struggling for form at club level while Gordon continues to grow in stature for a Newcastle team now firmly in top four contention.
Transfer speculation linked Gordon with a move away from St James’ Park in the summer. Liverpool were reportedly interested in the winger as they pondered cashing in on Luis Diaz. Ultimately, Gordon stayed put – as did Diaz at Liverpool – and is improving with every match he plays for the Magpies.
2025 will be a critical year for England, even if there is no major tournament. It will be the only full year Tuchel gets to remould The Three Lions in his own image before the 2026 World Cup. Southgate put in place the foundations for England to be successful going forward, but questions remain over the attack.
England boast one of the strongest squads in international football and so Gordon will face stiff competition for his place at the 2026 World Cup. However, the 23-year-old is a special talent who can be a force of nature on his day. A frontline of Gordon on one side and Saka on the other with Kane as the focal point could be unstoppable. It could win a World Cup.
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