Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon had a summer to forget at Euro 2024 with England.
It was hoped that Anthony Gordon would play a key role in bringing football home, on the back of the best season of his career at Newcastle United.
The 23-year-old was in incredible form heading into the Euros, leading to pundits such as Wayne Rooney tipping Gordon to start for England.
However, Gordon did not start a single game at Euro 2024. In fact, he only made one appearance. That appearance lasted five minutes, as he was handed a brief cameo in the group stage against Slovenia.
For whatever reason, Gareth Southgate opted against using Gordon, despite his England team crying out for some pace and proper width.
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Anthony Gordon felt ‘unstoppable’ heading into Euro 2024
Eddie Howe recently said Gordon will have learned a lot from the tournament, despite barely playing. However, it was reported that Gordon was disappointed by his lack of minutes.
Now the Newcastle United winger has said it himself, after being asked by ITV Sport to sum up how he felt about only playing once.
“I was disappointed,” he said.
“Just because of myself, I believe in myself so much, I feel unstoppable especially at that point with the season I have had. I felt nobody could defend me or deal with me over 90 minutes. I felt I was ready to go and really impress people and help the country win the trophy.
“So to envision what I visioned to what it was, it was disappointing.”
What happened between Gareth Southgate and Anthony Gordon
Gordon was then asked what Southgate said to him about leaving him out of the team.
“Nothing really,” he said.
“I didn’t even really ask. I am not really that type of guy. I just like to get on with what I want to do.
“I believed in myself so even from the bench I was thinking if he brings me on I am going to be ready and change the game, but it didn’t happen.”
Gordon must look to the future with England and Newcastle
While Southgate did not really explain his decision, Gordon did not seek the answers himself.
But the disappointment of Euro 2024 is now in the past, and Gordon must use it as motivation for the future.
That will start in the coming days, as the attacker prepares to potentially feature in England’s Nations League games against Republic of Ireland and Finland. Gordon is in Lee Carsley’s squad, alongside Newcastle teammates Tino Livramento and Nick Pope.
Gordon has a good relationship with Carsley, and he could be the manager to get the most out of Newcastle’s number 10 on the international stage.
Domestically, Gordon can also get better in a black and white shirt. His Euro 2024 disappointment should inspire him to play even better for his club, despite last season being the best of his career.
It has been a slow start to the campaign for Gordon, who did not have a proper pre-season due to his international commitments.
Howe has admitted that Gordon is not fully fit yet, and it will be exciting to see what he does at St James’ Park once he gets back to where he was last season physically.
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