Anthony Gordon, the 23-year-old Newcastle United forward, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to finally work with Thomas Tuchel, England’s incoming head coach.
Gordon has been in impressive form since his national team debut in March and has become a valuable asset for Newcastle following his transfer from Everton in January 2023.
However, his connection to Tuchel dates back to 2022, when he nearly joined Chelsea during Tuchel’s tenure there.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Gordon revealed, “It was quite close to be honest. I was desperate to go at the time and work with him especially.”
He explained that Tuchel’s tactical style at Chelsea resonated with his own playstyle, making it a thrilling prospect at the time.
Though the transfer fell through, Gordon is enthusiastic about realizing that collaboration under Tuchel’s leadership for England.
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First Impressions and Mutual Respect
When asked about any personal conversations with Thomas Tuchel, Gordon shared a brief but impactful encounter as quoted by Chronicle Live: “Spoke to him after the game, we played Chelsea when I played for Everton.
I shook his hand and that was about it,” Gordon said. “He said some really complimentary things to me that I’ll keep to myself.”
This exchange left Gordon feeling “a lot of warmth” from Tuchel, further solidifying his desire to play under the German manager.
Gordon’s Versatility and Confidence
Interestingly, Gordon reacted with surprise when it was suggested that Tuchel might have envisioned him as a left wing-back at Chelsea.
Despite this, he expressed confidence in adapting to any role, carrying this versatile mindset into England’s Nations League clash in Greece on Thursday.
The match is a critical one; a win would secure England’s automatic promotion to the Nations League’s top tier, sparing them a play-off round in Tuchel’s inaugural camp.
As Tuchel takes charge in the new year, Anthony Gordon’s enthusiasm and adaptable skill set could be key assets for the future of England’s national squad.
