Anthony Gordon must adapt and change his style of play in order to succeed at FC Barcelona, according to Liverpool and England legend John Barnes.
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Anthony Gordon must adapt and change his style of play to succeed at FC Barcelona warns Liverpool and England legend John Barnes, who explained this to Historic Newspapers.
Barça shocked the football world last week by coming out of nowhere to swiftly wrap up Gordon’s transfer from Newcastle United.
The Catalans agreed to pay the Premier League club an initial $81.4 million (€70 million), which could rise past $93 million (€80 million) with add-ons.
And while head coach Hansi Flick and Sporting Director Deco have reportedly decided together that Gordon can fit the German’s style of play, fellow ex-Newcastle winger Barnes doesn’t think that Gordon’s suits Barça as things stand.
Gordon must change to succeed at Barcelona, says Barnes
“Only time will tell if Anthony Gordon will be a success at Barcelona, because I never saw him as a Barcelona type player. He’s very direct and runs with the ball a lot, whereas Barcelona are a passing team,” Barnes said.
“Even the likes of Lamine Yamal, who dribbles and runs in dangerous areas, is always looking for the right pass. It’s going to be interesting how Hansi Flick integrates Gordon into his system.
“I believe Gordon is intelligent enough to change the way he plays, and he’ll have to – he won’t just get the ball in his own half and run the whole pitch with it, but only time will tell,” Barnes added.
Gordon is set for a battle with Raphinha to make the Barcelona first XI
While Gordon will have to deal with the pressure of adapting to a different league, country and fanbase at one of the world’s biggest clubs, he also has to win a battle with Raphinha.
That’s for the right to play on the left wing under Hansi Flick, as Barça’s pursuit of a number 9 such as Julian Alvarez has been taken as an indicator that the manager won’t field Gordon as a central target man.
Alvarez has agreed to join the Blaugrana on a five-year contract according to reports in Argentina, but a reported bid of $116 million (€100 million) to Atletico Madrid will need to be improved.
Elsewhere, we have to wait and see as to whether Gordon’s England positional rival Marcus Rashford has his loan deal extended, or he’s permanently bought from Manchester United.
To make that latter development happen, Barcelona have to trigger Rashford’s $35 million (€30 million) buy option before June 13, amid reports they’ve offered the Red Devils merely half that sum.