Last season, Anthony Gordon was unquestionably one of the top left-wingers in the Premier League. His intensity, pace, and ability to go at his man, press high, and deliver in the final third were consistent, and he was rightly selected for England’s Euro 2024 squad.
However, two games into the tournament in Germany, he has failed to play a minute. Despite the Three Lions going flat in the second half of last week’s 1-0 win over Serbia, Phil Foden’s continual problems on the left, and last night’s poor performance in a 1-1 draw with Denmark, Southgate left Gordon on the bench on both occasions.
We were calling out for width down the left, pace behind, and some energy, so it just doesn’t make sense. So, what’s the reason? Here is my theory.
Following our 1-0 defeat to Iceland in our final warm-up game less than two weeks ago, Gordon told Channel 4 that “it’s the first time I’ve kicked a ball in four weeks.” This was the game after he missed our St James’ Park friendly against Bosnia the week before, so I can only assume a lingering ailment is still bothering him?
That tackle from Manchester United’s Sofyan Amrabat left an indelible imprint on our season-ending journey to Old Trafford, keeping him out of our final-day victory over Brentford. Following that, he missed the Bosnia game and barely trained before playing against Iceland.
The fact that he’s remained on the bench for two games in a row while our left side lacked all he’d bring when fit leads me to believe he’s not right. It’s the only plausible answer – or am I giving Southgate too much credit?
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