Signed instead of Rashford, Gordon is proving worth at Barca

WHAT HAPPENED
Anthony Gordon has made an immediate impact since arriving at Barcelona, providing four assists across his first five appearances for the club after joining in May. The 25-year-old former Newcastle winger has started mainly from the left, a position that had often been occupied last season by on-loan England team-mate Marcus Rashford.

Gordon is yet to score for Barcelona but has impressed with his pace, directness and movement off the ball. He introduced himself to supporters with a short speech in Spanish and added a few Catalan phrases, saying he feels at home in the city and expects to improve the longer he stays.

KEY CONTEXT
Barcelona paid around £70m to sign Gordon, making him only the second English player to join the club on a permanent basis after Gary Lineker in 1986. The transfer prompted questions because his Premier League output for Newcastle — six league goals and two assists from 26 appearances (three of those goals from the penalty spot) in a campaign that saw the club finish 12th — looked modest compared with the price tag.

Those domestic numbers contrasted sharply with Gordon’s European form: he scored 10 times in 12 Champions League appearances last season, behind only Kylian Mbappé (15) and Harry Kane (14) in that competition. He also experienced the Nou Camp before his move when Newcastle lost there in the Champions League last‑16 tie.

WHY IT MATTERS
Gordon offers Barcelona a different attacking profile: his speed into space and off‑ball runs help stretch defences and create openings for team-mates, complementing players such as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Sporting director Deco cited tactical fit as a reason for choosing Gordon over Rashford, and manager Hansi Flick has praised his contribution to goal creation even as he waits for his first club goal. For a sizable outlay, early assist numbers and an ability to adapt quickly address questions about value and fit.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Gordon can open his Barcelona scoring account and add goals to his assist returns.
- If he can sustain the creative influence and assist rate beyond the opening matches.
- How his partnership with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha develops and how Flick continues to deploy him.
- The longer‑term payoff from Barcelona’s investment given his mixed domestic record at Newcastle.

KEY FACTS
- Gordon joined Barcelona in May and has made five appearances, supplying four assists.
- He is yet to score for Barcelona.
- Barcelona paid about £70m for the 25‑year‑old; he is the second Englishman to sign permanently for the club after Gary Lineker (1986).
- At Newcastle last season he had six league goals and two assists in 26 appearances; three of those goals were penalties.
- He scored 10 goals in 12 Champions League games last season.
- In his Barcelona league debut he registered two assists in four minutes against Elche.