Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is a master at making players better, and it has been a key reason behind his success at St James’ Park.
His second full season as Newcastle United boss has just come to an end, and it could end with Europa Conference League qualification if Manchester City win the FA Cup on Saturday.
Injury issues have hindered Newcastle this season, but there have still been some spectacular performers. Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak have both been outstanding in black and white, proving why they are certainly world class players.
And one of their teammates is not far behind after enjoying the best season of his career.
Newcastle winger has had the best season of his career
The 2023/24 campaign has been a special one for Anthony Gordon. It has been his first full season with Newcastle, and he really has gone to another level under the guidance of Eddie Howe.
Gordon has been so reliable for the Magpies, only missing three games all season and proving to be a consistent source of goals and assists. In all competitions, the 23-year-old has scored 12 times and got 11 assists.
He really has kicked on at St James’ Park, and that is why Jeff Stelling believes he is the most improved player of the season.
Jeff Stelling admits he was wrong about Anthony Gordon
Speaking on TalkSPORT on Tuesday morning, Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist discussed who is the most improved player in the Premier League this season. McCoist went with Cole Palmer at Chelsea, but Stelling had to go with Gordon.
“Most improved player of the season – I only had one suggestion,” he said.
“When Anthony Gordon went to Newcastle from Everton, I wondered why. Because I didn’t see the player in him that Eddie Howe saw in him.
“This season he has been phenomenal and must be in that England squad and maybe even start for England.”
Ally McCoist has also been impressed with Gordon, praising the Newcastle United player for his defensive efforts as well as his attacking exploits.
“Outstanding, Anthony Gordon, going both ways,” he said.
“That is the one thing I have noticed about him this year. He has always been good going forward, but in terms of his work-rate and tracking back, all-round team effort, team player, Eddie has obviously worked on that with him and he has listened, and that’s a major, major attribute he has done this season.”
An amazing year for Gordon could get even better
Newcastle have always had high hopes for Gordon. That is why they paid an initial £40million for him, making him one of the club’s most expensive signings ever.
He was not brought in to have an immediate impact, nor did he have an immediate impact. It was a slow start in black and white, and one of frustration, as summed up by that touchline spat with Howe away to Brentford.
But now we are seeing the reason why Newcastle bought Gordon. In 12 months, he has gone from an average Premier League winger with poor end product to a clinical attacker that some believe should start for England at the Euros.
His goal is to be on the plane to Germany, and Stelling thinks he deserves a place. He will find out if he has a chance, with Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad set to be announced at 2pm Tuesday April 21st.
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