In the summer of 2026, Barcelona made a significant investment by signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for around €70 million. This transfer was among the club’s major signings, but questions arose after Gordon’s initial performances with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Prominent English pundit Graeme Souness sharply criticized Barcelona’s decision. Observing Gordon’s play during England’s opening group matches, Souness stated the club might have questioned whether such a conservative style fits the Catalan football philosophy. He said, "If Gordon turns up in Barcelona and plays as conservatively as he did against Croatia and Ghana, then he will not be staying in Catalonia for too long."
Souness directly compared Gordon with Barcelona’s young winger Lamine Yamal, calling Yamal the benchmark for wingers in the club. He also noted that Gordon falls short of Bukayo Saka’s level, his competitor in the England squad.
Despite this criticism, Gordon still has time to prove himself. England’s remaining group match against Panama, considered an easier fixture, offers Gordon the chance to regain form and convince both the coaching staff and fans of his value. Moreover, he is expected to play a key role for England in the knockout stages.
Given the large investment and expectations, both the club and player face pressure to adapt to high standards. Barcelona hopes Gordon’s playing style will become more assertive; otherwise, his tenure with the club may be short-lived.
