Anthony Gordon left the Premier League for Barcelona to get 'respect' -- he's got it now

• Tom Hamilton

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  Tom Hamilton

  Senior Writer

  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours
  • Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018
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• Sam Marsden

Nov 6, 2026, 06:00 AM ET

As a child living in Merseyside, Anthony Gordon envisaged playing for Barcelona. That in itself is no different to many youngsters growing up around the world, but you get the feeling he always believed he would make it happen -- and he did.

Gordon has hit the ground running at Barça, ever since he signed from Newcastle United for an initial €70 million in the summer. The England winger is already a fixture of coach Hansi Flick's preferred attack, alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, and there was no doubt he would start Tuesday's UEFA Champions League win against Aston Villa or Sunday's top-of-the-table clash against Atlético Madrid in LaLiga (watch live on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET).

Gordon's path to this stage of his career has included relegation battles with boyhood club Everton, a loan spell with Preston North End in 2021, and scoreless streaks with Newcastle after he moved there in 2023. But he never blinkered from his belief that he was destined for the top level. Others are now seeing what he has always felt.

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Earlier this season, the 25-year-old spoke about people in England beginning to respect "the quality and IQ that I play with." His comments were interpreted as an indication he had not always received the recognition he deserved in his homeland. Speaking to ESPN earlier this week, he clarified those remarks were not meant as a negative, but to underline that he has now found a home to really exhibit his talent.

"I didn't mean people were judging me wrong or had a negative perspective of me," he said. "I meant they had never seen me in a system that highlights these qualities. People hadn't seen me in this kind of system before, which I think is helping them appreciate me more."

Did he have to leave the Premier League to make that happen? -- Sam Marsden

Premier League progression: 'I'm not surprised he's at Barça now'

In the away changing room after Burnley lost 2-1 at St. James' Park last season, Maxime Estève talked to his teammates about Gordon. The defender, now at RB Leipzig, tells ESPN: "I told them 'this guy is really good, really sharp, has a really good right foot, great at one vs. ones.' I like that type of winger: they want to beat the right back each time, and even if they lose the ball four times, you know they're going to pass you two times and cause danger." Gordon had certainly earnt Estève's respect.

Gordon's time at Newcastle wasn't always entirely plain sailing. There were untimely niggles and frustration, like the clash he had with manager Eddie Howe after being brought on and then substituted against Brentford late in the 2022-23 season. That summer he spoke to teammate Kieran Trippier, refocused, and had his best spell Newcastle. He finished the 2023-24 campaign as the club's player of the season after a goal contribution rate of 0.65 per 90 minutes; form which saw him earn his England debut against Brazil and, a few months later, a place in the 2024 UEFA European Championship squad.

After a tricky summer in 2024 when Liverpool had shown interest in signing him, Howe was asked if he'd welcome Gordon back. "With three arms if I had them," he replied.

A source tells ESPN: "Howe worked on Gordon, nurtured him, was demanding of him but Howe loved him as a player and knew what potential he had."

Gordon went from Jan. 25, 2025, to Dec. 2, 2025, without a league goal or assist. But Howe persevered with him, and there were matches where he sprang to life, showing his incredible ability.

There was a feeling at Newcastle that the bigger the occasion, the better the performance and he caught the eye with his Champions League performances -- an obvious claim when you have Bayern Munich and Barcelona knocking at your door. After the 3-0 win over Benfica in October 2025, José Mourinho had a quiet word in Gordon's ear: "You are too much" he said. That's praise, incidentally.

Last term, Gordon scored 16 times, including 10 goals in the Champions League, with four coming in a 6-1 win at Qarabag. Those who have worked with him feel he had the ability to show more than what the attritional nature of the Premier League permitted. After all, as Professor Simon Chadwick told ESPN recently, there's a perception in Europe that Premier League players are "artisans rather than artists."

A source told ESPN: "Howe adored him as a player, he raised his game to a new level and improved him two-fold from where he was at Everton."

It was testament to Gordon that Barcelona invested an initial €70 million to sign him from Newcastle. He was a tormentor-in-chief of Premier League defenders and when the move to Camp Nou materialized, those who'd tried to tame him didn't raise an eyebrow at the move. "I really rate him as a player," Estève says. "So, for me, I'm not surprised he's at Barcelona now." -- Tom Hamilton

Why Barça signed Gordon: The perfect foil for Yamal, Raphinha

Whenever Barça's high line is criticized, Flick is quick to point out that the team's approach to defending starts in attack. The German coach wants forwards who can press as a unit without the ball, win the ball back quickly and work hard for the team.

Barça saw those characteristics in Gordon. That is why they opted to sign him rather than exercise the €30 million clause in Marcus Rashford's loan deal from Manchester United to restructure a front line that lost Robert Lewandowski (free transfer) and Ferran Torres (PSG, €55 million) in the summer, as well as Rashford, who returned to Old Trafford.

"We have a clear idea what we're looking for," Barça sporting director Deco said of Gordon's arrival. "One of the areas we struggled last season [when Raphinha was injured] was that the team's energy dropped. It was lost."

There were other options available, albeit for double the fee Barça paid to land Gordon. PSG's Bradley Barcola and RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande may even have been more eye-catching options, but with Bayern also showing interest in signing Gordon, Barça moved swiftly to ensure they did not miss out.

Club sources highlighted to ESPN that how he fits Flick's system and his relatively low fee (by modern standards) were two key reasons why Barça opted for Gordon. It is, however, impossible to know how much budget restrictions -- which were not as severe as in previous years -- led them one way rather than another.

There were other reasons, sources say, Gordon made sense. At 25, he is hungry to take his game to the next level and young enough to sign a five-year contract, allowing the amortization payments to be spread over a longer period. He should also retain his transfer value.

Gordon's selflessness makes him the perfect complement to Yamal and Raphinha, too, with one source comparing his role to that of forward Pedro, who was the foil to Lionel Messi, David Villa, Neymar and others over many years at Camp Nou. -- Marsden

Anthony Gordon: I want to be highlighted on the biggest stage

World Cup awakening: 'He has reached another level'

It was to Gordon's immense credit that Mexico coach Javier Aguirre singled him out during England's 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal win against El Tri: "Hey, Gordon! F--- you!" Aguirre volleyed at him from the sideline, followed by immediate laughter. Mind games, a bit of fun, or somewhere in between? Either way, Gordon was a marked man.

It was the biggest match of Gordon's life, having forced his way back into the team after a mixed couple of weeks. England careers rarely run smoothly. Gordon made his debut under Gareth Southgate and was included in the squad for Euro 2024, but was left on the periphery as they reached the final -- though he did make headlines for falling off his bike, leaving him with cuts and bruises.

It was post-Southgate where Gordon got a little more love, starting five of the six games that Lee Carsley -- his coach with England's under-21s -- had in charge. But in the early stages of Thomas Tuchel's tenure, he was back in rotation, vying with Phil Foden, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Rashford.

At the World Cup, Gordon started England's first two matches but was quiet. He was benched for their final group match, but made his game-changing impact off the bench against Congo DR in the round of 16 as he assisted both of Harry Kane's crucial goals, saying afterward he opted to play on instinct rather than with any sense of caution. Then came the memorable performance against Mexico and his goal-scoring contribution in the semifinal loss to Argentina.

Anthony Gordon: Playing for England is the highest honour in football

"The World Cup changed me as it left a bit of a scar from losing," Gordon told ESPN last month. "But I feel more experienced, I feel a lot calmer. That was the biggest stage I've ever played on and I felt comfortable there."

By the time this season's UEFA Nations League campaign began, Gordon took the momentum of the Barcelona move and the end of his World Cup into those four fixtures. Those who've known him for a while say Gordon is always at the center of things in team environments and is a "good connector" between groups. A source tells ESPN: "He's always confident in his ability and methods -- but don't mistake that for arrogance, he's just clear on what he needs. He knows when to speak and when not to speak, he's thoughtful."

After impressive performances against Spain and Czechia, he caught the eye of yet another opposition manager. "Gordon? What a player! What a footballer, my God!" Czechia coach Santi Denia told The Guardian.

Closer to home, Tuchel described him as a "very important player" while Kane said Gordon was one of England's "main men" and someone who "belongs at the highest level, for Barcelona and England."

With the internationals around the corner, Gordon has secured his spot on the left of England's front four. Tuchel said: "I see a player full of confidence, of faith. He has reached another level."

And the man himself loves playing under Tuchel, telling ESPN: "He's been massive in my development. Your international career isn't long, so I'm grateful every time I play for England, it's almost sacred and I'm very proud to have him as my coach." -- Hamilton

Life at Barcelona: 'I didn't expect this connection'

Let's begin with Gordon's own assessment. Speaking before Tuesday's 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League, he rated his start to life at Barcelona as "7.5 out of 10."

Barça supporters might agree -- or they might even give him a higher score. Boosted by an altruistic assist for Fermín López on his debut at Elche, he has rapidly endeared himself to the club's fans. Banners and T-shirts have been produced carrying his face and the humorous Catalanization of his name, 'Antoni Gros.' Chants of "Goooooordooon" have already sounded around Camp Nou.

"I love it," he said this week. "They make me feel so welcome. I didn't expect this connection in three months. I don't think it's normal."

That assist against Elche was one of two on his debut. More followed against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia, but as he passed six games without a goal, there was a sense of growing frustration. That changed with October's goals in back-to-back matches against Getafe and Galatasaray. Another followed last weekend against Alavés.

The next step is to produce better numbers without ignoring the basics that have helped him settle quickly. In a team that has scored 60 goals in 15 games, you can understand why he is anxious to contribute more. While there is no expectation to match Yamal and Raphinha's goal contributions (24 and 22, respectively), it is fair to demand more than seven (three goals, four assists) as part of a side averaging four goals per game. Fermín has 13. Karim Adeyemi, Gordon's deputy who has played over 300 minutes fewer, has six.

Gordon is aware of that. He has spoken of a need to be "more selfish." It is not just about quantity, either. It's about moments. It's about stepping up on the big stage, such as the recent losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

In the Clásico defeat against Madrid he did show personality; he looked like someone who is ready to take responsibility. That is the logical progression. Given the evolution of his career so far, you would not bet against him. Sunday's trip to Atlético would be a good place to start.

"It will take time for me to really settle and grow," Gordon said this week. "When this happens, you will see the very best of me, which you definitely haven't seen so far." -- Marsden