Anthony Gordon has quickly become a popular figure among Barcelona supporters and coach Hansi Flick. The winger, who joined from Newcastle this summer, said fans had shown him “a lot of love and affection” and that he hoped to repay them with trophies. He was speaking at his first Barcelona press conference, ahead of the match against Aston Villa.
Gordon, 25, has also begun settling into life in the city. He said he enjoys Barcelona and its pan con tomate, and hopes to handle interviews and public statements in Spanish soon. He currently relies on English-speaking teammates, including Eric, but said he has a good connection with the whole squad. Some fans have taken to calling him “Antoni el Gros,” a playful Catalan rendering of his name.
The 70-million-euro signing, with a further ten million in potential add-ons, was a direct choice of Flick, who was impressed by Gordon in Barcelona’s meetings with Newcastle last season. The coach had wanted more defensive work from the left wing, particularly when Raphinha was unavailable. Gordon was also considered as an option at centre-forward.
The forward has three goals and five assists for Barcelona so far. He said he sometimes passes when he should shoot or take on a defender, and has been working on being more decisive in front of goal after training sessions. He rated his first three months at the club “a 7 or a 7.5,” adding that the challenge at Barcelona was different and that the pressure to win trophies suited him better than fighting to avoid relegation or qualify for the Champions League.
Gordon has started two of Barcelona’s three European matches and seven league games, ahead of fellow left winger Karim Adeyemi in appearances. “I only compete with myself,” he said. He is expected to start against Aston Villa and said Barcelona should take responsibility, adding that he believes the team can beat anyone and that Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are not above them.
Sources: La Vanguardia.