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Anthony Gordon Feels at Home at Barcelona and Reveals What Was Missing in England
His teammates and the fans have made him feel welcome. Now the winger says people are seeing a different side of his game.
Anthony Gordon wanted more than a change of league when he left Newcastle United for Barcelona. He wanted to feel valued, and he says the move has given him that: a warm welcome from his teammates and the fans, along with a different appreciation of his football.
After his Barcelona debut, Gordon told club media how quickly he had settled in: “I feel at home. The city and my team-mates are incredible. They’ve made me feel welcome from day one.” He had also thanked supporters for the affection they showed him after his arrival.
That welcome gives another dimension to his recent comments about the Premier League. Gordon valued his time in England, but felt that much of his game was overshadowed by the two things people noticed first: his pace and his pressing.
What England Overlooked
Speaking to ITV Sport, Gordon said “people respected me because I was fast and I pressed.” What frustrated him was that he did not feel his technical quality and football intelligence received the same recognition. He added that the players alongside him had seen those qualities, even if others often had not.
Pace and work rate remain important parts of his game. Gordon simply wanted people to notice what he could do with the ball, too.
The Change He Wanted
Gordon believes Barcelona’s style makes those qualities easier to see. In Spain, he said, “they really appreciate my IQ, quality.” He wanted a different experience when he left the Premier League, and a chance to show more of himself on a bigger stage.
His adjustment has worked on two levels: he feels comfortable with the people around him, and he believes his football is being judged on more than his ability to run past an opponent.
England First, Then Back to Barça
Gordon is currently with England, who visit Czechia on September 29 and Croatia on October 3 in the UEFA Nations League. Barcelona’s next LaLiga match is at home to Getafe on October 10. Those fixtures give him a chance to keep showing the qualities he felt were missed during his Premier League years.
Three Takeaways From Gordon’s Barcelona Move
- Gordon says his teammates and Barcelona’s fans made him feel welcome from the start.
- In England, he felt people recognised his pace and pressing more than his quality and football intelligence.
- He moved to Barcelona for a different experience and the chance to show that side of his game.
