Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon enjoyed a productive international break.
The Newcastle winger started both games for England and scored the opener against Latvia on Tuesday night as the Three Lions confirmed qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Gordon, injury permitting, now looks almost certain to be part of the squad who travel across the pond for next summer’s tournament. England manager Thomas Tuchel praised Gordon, who is looking to beat Marcus Rashford to a starting berth in the side.
It has been a good few games for the 24-year-old. Back in Eddie Howe’s side after suspension earlier this season, the former Everton youngster bagged a brace for Newcastle in the Champions League against Union Saint-Gilloise earlier this month.
In 11 games for club and country across all competitions this season, he has scored four goals.
Still, pundit Darren Bent wants to see more from the winger.
Darren Bent says Anthony Gordon needs to improve
The former England striker was speaking on talkSPORT.
Speaking before their win over Latvia, Bent was asked to name who he’d pick as a left-winger if he were in charge of the Three Lions.
He would go for Jack Grealish but did concede that Gordon has been playing well. Bent, however, did suggest Gordon needs to improve his attacking output.
“Right now it would be Grealish,” he said.
“That’d be my pick. You pick him first or even Anthony Gordon’s been good, but again, he’s someone who I like, but his numbers just don’t stack up.”
Grealish has started the season well for Everton, scoring one goal while registering four assists in seven league games.
The Crystal Palace player helping Anthony Gordon improve his shooting
Bent also believes Gordon needs to improve his shooting skills and it appears as if the Newcastle star is hard at work on that.
Gordon was asked about his goal against Latvia after the game and revealed that Crystal Palace star Dean Henderson had been helping him put in extra training to further hone his craft.
“I’ve been practising that exact finish in training, and I want to thank Dean Henderson for taking the time to be in goal for me. Practice makes perfect.”
Newcastle will need Gordon at his best when they head down to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
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