Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon is very close friends with Curtis Jones.
The Liverpool midfielder has played alongside Anthony Gordon at international level, with the Scouse duo helping England Under-21s win the European Championship in 2023.
Alongside Tommy Doyle and Elliot Anderson, Jones is one of Gordon’s best friends in football, and is well placed to know exactly what the 24-year-old is like behind the scenes.
While Gordon is so often the main man on the pitch for Newcastle United, he is actually very private away from it.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones describes Anthony Gordon
During a video for England’s official YouTube channel, Curtis Jones was asked to describe Anthony Gordon in just one word.
“Intelligent,” he said.
“I’d always played against Anthony at academy and stuff. But we first officially met at England camp. Fortunate to have played at all the age groups at the same time.
“Our personalities are the same in certain ways, but we’re different in a lot of ways as well. We’re a good pair.
“He’s a private lad. He doesn’t like a load of things like the internet and all things like that. I’m close with him and I know a lot about him.”
Anthony Gordon taught himself how to play chess
It is well known that Gordon is a very deep thinker, so it is no great surprise that Jones has described his pal as ‘intelligent’.
While most people immediately think of speed when it comes to Newcastle United’s number 10, Jones’ first thought was his brain power.
Gordon is a player who uses visualisation to help him. He imagines himself in certain scenarios, with the belief that it makes him more comfortable when the moment arrives in reality. Gordon took inspiration from Mo Salah with regards to that, and the Liverpool superstar is not a bad player to learn from!
But Gordon is also capable of teaching himself. After all, that is how he learned to play chess.
“I think chess is a life skill because it applies to everything,” he told BBC Sport in June 2024.
“You’ve always got to think one, two, three moves ahead.
“Chess I actually taught myself – I didn’t have a clue how to play it. I just learned by playing.
“I just love it. It’s a very peaceful game. It gets my brain working, which I love.”
Gordon is currently out of the Newcastle United starting XI
The 2023/24 season was the best of Gordon’s career. He was untouchable at times in a Newcastle United shirt.
The 2024/25 campaign has also had highs, but the winger is currently in an unfamiliar situation.
Since Gordon returned from injury and suspension, he has not started for the Magpies. With Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy playing so well, the £45million man has found himself on the bench.
As it stands, Gordon is not a guaranteed starter for Newcastle. It is the first time this has happened to him since the beginning of last season.
Jason Tindall understands if Gordon is frustrated, but has admitted that Barnes and Murphy are simply playing too well.
Therefore, Gordon will just have to bide his time and wait for an opportunity.
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