One of the major stars of Newcastle United’s season so far has been Anthony Gordon.
The winger struggled during his first few months at the club following a £40m move from Everton in January but has since underlined his status as a key member of Eddie Howe’s first-team.
Already, the Newcastle winger has chipped in with two goals and two assists, while even Pep Guardiola appeared to enjoy his work ethic as the Magpies knocked Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup.
Keep up this level of form and perhaps an England call ahead of Euro 2024 will not be too far away.
Indeed, pundit Martin Keown seems to think so.
Martin Keown says Anthony Gordon should replace Marcus Rashford in the England squad
The former Arsenal and England defender was speaking on talkSPORT and suggested Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford should make way for Gordon the next time Gareth Southgate announces a squad.
“I would take Marcus Rashford out of the England squad,” he said when discussing the prospect of putting Gordon in.
“Rashford gives you that explosion of pace but I think as an all-round game, I’m just looking at Gordon here and his team responsibilities have improved enormously.”
England’s loss would be Newcastle’s gain
There is certainly merit to what Keown is saying but Southgate is hardly a manager who experiments all too often.
If the Harry Maguire saga has told us anything, it’s that the Three Lions boss has his favourites.
Should Gordon be overlooked during the next international break next month, it should matter little to Newcastle.
The 22-year-old has been in such fine form this season at club level, delighting Newcastle supporters along the way. With that in mind, who really minds if that recognition doesn’t come from Southgate?
His loss would be Newcastle’s gain.
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