What can Anthony Gordon bring to Barcelona?

The England international is expected to move to Camp Nou this summer.

When news broke that Barcelona were making a move for Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, culers would’ve been forgiven for thinking that this was just the rumor mill doing its usual thing.

Not really on Barcelona’s radar previously to any great degree, other than the occasional whisper, it would now appear that the deal to bring the 25-year-old to Camp Nou has been fully agreed.

Perhaps the burning question is why him and why now?

Well, it can’t be forgotten how well he played in the first game against Barca in the Champions League, even if he ended up on the losing side.

A lack of fear, a relentless work ethic and a willingness to run at pace at defenders is something that unsettles even the most accomplished performers, and there’s a clear theme with Barca’s wingers, in that their desire and speed are prerequisites for the position.

One may question why the club are looking for another player for the left side of the attack when they already have Raphinha there.

Gordon looks like he will be back-up to Raphinha and, after a season where the Brazilian has struggled with injuries, it’s easy to see why Barca want another winger. Marcus Rashford has played that role this season but there have been concerns over his off-the-ball pressing and his high salary if he were to continue.

The arrival of Gordon is likely to be bad news for Rashford, with the Newcastle winger a sensible back-up option for Raphinha, or a first choice if Hansi Flick were to rest the Brazilian.

There is also the option for Gordon to play on the right side or in the centre, too, and it’s that versatility and pressing ability which has arguably counted in his favour.

His ability to move inside his full-back with ease, or take them on down the outside, harks back to wing play of a bygone era, and one might expect to be on the edge of their seats when Gordon bears down on the opposition goal.

Indeed, the 40 fouls that he earned in the Premier League alone mostly came as a result of his direct marker not being able to interpret his attacking intentions correctly.

That blistering pace helped him to score 17 goals in all competitions for the Magpies last season, including 10 in the Champions League, which meant the former Everton man was also the club’s top scorer in 25/26.

Given the price that’s being reported as his transfer fee is just €70m (up to €80m with add-ons), too, if Gordon’s trajectory were to continue in an upward direction, that would represent a good deal by today’s standards.

Particularly if he hits all the right notes from the get-go next season.