Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon has yet to fully hit his stride with the England national team. Although he has shown flashes of brilliance, Gordon faced a frustrating experience during Euro 2024, as his game time was limited. Rumor has it that those close to Gordon and his teammate, Cole Palmer, questioned why both players weren’t given more opportunities, especially as England’s performances during the group stages were lackluster. Eventually, Palmer saw increased playing time and went on to score in the final, but Gordon remained sidelined.
Reports suggest that Gordon may have irked England manager Gareth Southgate with an incident where he fell off his bike while using his phone during training. Additionally, Gordon’s comments about adding unpredictability to the team may not have sat well. Since then, Gordon has been an important presence under interim manager Lee Carsley, excelling on the left wing. However, with Thomas Tuchel set to take over as England’s head coach, Gordon’s role in the squad might be reconsidered. According to The Sun, Tuchel has reached out to Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, expressing a strong interest in having him on the team, provided he maintains his form. Rashford, who missed out on the Euro 2024 squad, was reportedly told by Tuchel that his absence may have hindered England’s attack, especially on the left side, traditionally Gordon’s area of play.
Tuchel’s interest in Rashford shouldn’t be taken as a dismissal of Gordon’s potential. In fact, Tuchel is said to have appreciated Gordon’s fearless approach as far back as 2022, when the then-Chelsea manager observed the young winger’s performance at Everton. At the international level, competition for positions is intense, and Tuchel is likely aiming to build a versatile squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Bringing in options like Rashford doesn’t mean Gordon’s time is over but highlights Tuchel’s intention to enhance England’s depth and unpredictability on the left wing.
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