Anthony Gordon joined Newcastle United during the January transfer window, and is receiving help from Toon forward Callum Wilson.
Wilson is helping Gordon settle in on Tyneside, having arrived at Newcastle from Everton at the start of the year for £45million.
The 22-year-old became the Magpies’ second most expensive signing ever, but is yet to justify that lofty price tag. He has endured a frustrating start to life at St James’ Park, with ineligibility and injury limiting his minutes.
Gordon has missed our previous two fixtures with an ankle injury, but is expected to be available to face Manchester United this Sunday. That is a huge boost ahead of what could be a season-defining game.
Regardless, the winger is one for the future at Newcastle, and Wilson is ensuring he adapts to life as a Toon player as quickly as possible.
Callum Wilson explains how he is helping Anthony Gordon
On the latest episode of the Footballer’s Football Podcast, Wilson and Michail Antonio spoke about taking young players under their wing.
“We’ve had Anthony Gordon who I’ve helped out, taken under my wing a little bit,” Wilson said.
The 31-year-old was then asked to go into detail about how he is helping Gordon since his move to Newcastle.
“He’s a professional player anyway. It’s just making sure that you’re in the gym, you’re doing the things you need to do, you’re on time. You do this, you do that. Not how to be a pro or be a footballer because he’s good enough and he’s old enough anyway.
“It’s more just how it is in our dressing room. The kind of mentality and morale that’s in there. Do not be late for the meeting, make sure you’re on time. Little things like that because that’s what will wind the manager up.”
Leadership from Wilson
It is things like this that prove why Eddie Howe includes Wilson in his leadership group. The striker captained the Magpies on multiple occasions last season, and he is continuing to lead by example behind the scenes.
It is excellent to hear that Wilson is helping Gordon, as he has the potential to be a star on Tyneside. He has all the raw tools to become a real Premier League talent – he just needs to put it all together.
Gordon is in the perfect place to do just that, with so many players improving under Howe’s guidance. He has created an environment for progression, and Wilson is ensuring that Gordon leans into that.
What Wilson is telling Gordon sounds like common sense, but he wouldn’t be saying it if he didn’t have to. Plenty of young players have fell by the wayside at senior level, and Wilson is doing his best to ensure that does not happen to Gordon.
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