BARCELONA — Anthony Gordon has called Barcelona "the biggest club on the planet" and the England winger is backing up the statement with production, delivering four assists in his first five matches since his £70m move from Newcastle United in May. The 25-year-old is still hunting his first goal for the free-scoring Spanish giants, but has slotted seamlessly into the left-wing role often filled by on-loan England team-mate Marcus Rashford last season.
Gordon arrived as only the second English player to join Barcelona on a permanent deal after Gary Lineker in 1986, a significant investment that drew questions after Newcastle finished 12th and Gordon posted six league goals and two assists in 26 appearances, with three goals from the penalty spot. His European form told a different story, with 10 goals in 12 Champions League appearances last season — only Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe (15) and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane (14) scored more. He had already sampled the Nou Camp when Newcastle lost 7-2 on the night and 8-3 on aggregate in the Champions League last-16 second leg. "Our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony's," Barcelona sporting director Deco said when asked why the club chose Gordon over Rashford. "His style fits with what the coach is looking for."
Gordon delivered his welcome speech in Spanish, a language he said he learned with help from one of Newcastle's Spanish physios, before adding phrases in Catalan with fans, and said he has settled quickly. "I feel at home already," Gordon said. "The city is amazing. The guys have made me feel so welcome. I think I will get better and better the longer I'm here." Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has praised the unselfish impact: "I think as a striker, from his side, you want to score goals. He has had some chances and he missed them. But he has made the final pass to prepare the goals and this is also very important." That was evident on his league debut against Elche, when he produced two assists in four minutes and squared a one-on-one chance for Fermin Lopez to score. "You always want to win but it's always about the team first," Gordon said after the match. "Especially at this club."
Playing primarily from the left, Gordon's pace and directness have stretched defences and created space for team-mates, notably alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. He can stay wide to isolate a full-back, attack in behind or drift inside to combine, and his willingness to press immediately after possession is lost fits Flick's system. Barcelona have scored 22 goals and conceded only three across their first five games, the club's most prolific start since Flick took charge in May 2024, with Raphinha leading on eight goals and Yamal on five.
It is early to say every question has been answered. Gordon is still waiting for his first Barcelona goal and sustaining this intensity across a full season remains the challenge. But the conversation has shifted from whether he belongs at this level to how important he could become for Flick's attack.