Anthony Gordon Is Already Winning Over Barcelona Fans After £70m Move

Anthony Gordon may have played only five matches for Barcelona since his summer arrival, but the England winger is already giving supporters plenty of reasons to believe the club made the right decision.

The former Newcastle United star has registered four assists in his opening five appearances, quickly establishing himself as an influential part of Hansi Flick’s attacking system.

The only thing missing so far is a goal.

At 25, Gordon has stepped into the left-wing role that was frequently occupied by Marcus Rashford during the previous campaign, and his pace, movement and willingness to attack defenders have added another dimension to Barcelona’s already dangerous attack.

More importantly, Gordon appears to be settling into life in Spain remarkably quickly.

Gordon Embraces Barcelona Life

Gordon has already made an effort to connect with his new surroundings.

During his welcome speech, the England international spoke in Spanish, explaining that he had learned the language with help from a Spanish physio during his time at Newcastle.

He even added a few words in Catalan when addressing Barcelona supporters — a gesture that has reportedly gone down well with fans.

On the pitch, however, it is his performances that are generating the biggest excitement.

When Barcelona paid around £70 million for Gordon, there were questions over whether the winger had done enough in the Premier League to justify such a significant investment.

His final Premier League campaign with Newcastle was hardly spectacular, with Gordon scoring six league goals and providing two assists in 26 appearances.

But his European performances told a completely different story.

Champions League Form Changed the Conversation

Gordon was one of Newcastle’s standout performers in the Champions League, scoring 10 goals in 12 appearances.

Only Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane scored more goals in the competition during the previous campaign.

That European form appears to have convinced Barcelona that Gordon possessed another level that could be unlocked in the right environment.

Ironically, Gordon had already experienced the atmosphere of Barcelona earlier in the year when Newcastle travelled to face the Catalan giants in the Champions League.

Barcelona won the second leg 7-2, completing an 8-3 aggregate victory.

For Gordon, that night offered a glimpse of what it would be like to play for one of the biggest clubs in world football.

Months later, he was back — this time as a Barcelona player.

Why Barcelona Chose Gordon Over Rashford

One of the biggest talking points surrounding Gordon’s transfer was Barcelona’s decision to sign him instead of continuing with Rashford.

Barcelona sporting director Deco explained that Gordon’s characteristics were considered a better match for Flick’s tactical requirements.

And early evidence suggests the decision is already paying off.

Gordon’s biggest strengths are his acceleration, direct running and ability to attack the space behind defenders.

He can remain wide and take on a full-back, make runs behind the defensive line or move inside to combine with players such as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

His pressing is another important part of his game.

Flick wants his forwards to contribute when Barcelona lose possession, and Gordon’s energy allows him to immediately put pressure on defenders and help the team regain the ball.

Four Assists — But Still No Goal

Gordon’s debut league appearance against Elche provided a perfect example of his approach.

He produced two assists within four minutes, immediately announcing himself to Barcelona supporters.

At one point, Gordon found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and had the opportunity to score his first goal for the club.

Instead of taking the shot himself, he squared the ball for Fermin Lopez, who finished from close range.

It was a simple decision, but one that said plenty about the winger’s mentality.

Rather than prioritising his personal moment, Gordon chose the option that gave Barcelona the best chance of scoring.

His first goal will certainly come, but his willingness to create for others has already made him valuable to Flick.

Barcelona Are Flying

Gordon has arrived at a club that is already playing with enormous attacking confidence.

Barcelona have scored 22 goals in their first five matches, while conceding just three.

Raphinha has been particularly prolific, while Lamine Yamal continues to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the most exciting young players in world football.

Gordon gives the attack something different.

His explosive pace means Barcelona can threaten teams vertically rather than relying exclusively on intricate combinations around the penalty area.

That makes him particularly useful in a team capable of dominating possession.

When opponents push forward, Gordon can exploit the space behind them.

When they sit deep, he can isolate defenders and use his speed and directness to create openings.

African360 Analysis: Gordon Could Become a Major Barcelona Player

It is still far too early to declare Gordon a complete success at Barcelona.

Five matches is a very small sample, and the real test will come when opponents adapt to his game and the pressure of playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs increases.

But the early signs are extremely encouraging.

The £70 million price tag created expectations before Gordon had even kicked a ball for Barcelona. His modest Premier League numbers also gave critics ammunition to question the transfer.

Yet Gordon is already changing that conversation.

Four assists in five games, an immediate understanding with Barcelona’s attacking players and a willingness to put the team before personal glory have given supporters something to believe in.

And if Gordon can add regular goals to his assists, Barcelona may soon discover that they have not simply signed another winger — they may have found a player capable of becoming a key figure in Flick’s attack.

The question is no longer whether Anthony Gordon belongs at Barcelona.

It is how important he can become.