Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon was snubbed once again by England at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions have now played twice, yet Anthony Gordon has been a consistent figure on the bench. He was an unused substitute against Serbia and Denmark, despite England crying out for a player like him.
The first game against Serbia was disappointing, with Gareth Southgate’s decision to play Phil Foden on the left ahead of Gordon backfiring. And it backfired quite early, leading to a lot of surprise that the 23-year-old did not make a cameo off the bench.
Following that win, there were plenty of calls for Gordon to start against Denmark. But once again he was ignored, and once again England struggled.
It was an even worse performance on Thursday night, and a lot of the post-game chat has centred around Harry Kane and his role in the England team.
Alan Shearer explains why Harry Kane needs Anthony Gordon
The Bayern Munich striker scored against Denmark, but was unable to influence proceedings beyond that.
Combining his tendency to drop deep with players who want to come to the ball is proving to be a major issue, and it is one that pundit Alan Shearer believes he has the answer to.
The Newcastle United legend spoke about the Kane problem on BBC One immediately after the full time whistle, comparing Kane’s issues to the ones he experienced in his career before explaining why Anthony Gordon could provide the solution.
“I needed legs around me, I needed pace around me,” he said.
“I could still hold the ball up and head it, I still had a good touch. I could still score goals but the one thing I couldn’t do constantly is run in behind.
“He needs players around him to do that. I would do that. That’s why I would have Gordon in the team because he has the energy, the ability to run in behind, the ability to get in near him.
“Whereas when Foden is doing that he wants to be tight and play in the 10 role, very much like Kane does.
“He’s a brilliant goalscorer but what he does lack is that yard and that energy, someone else can do it.”
England desperately need Newcastle United star Gordon
Shearer is absolutely spot on. Kane needs runners. England need runners.
With Foden, Kane and Jude Bellingham, England have three players who want to occupy the same space.
What Southgate needs is someone to stretch the game and is willing to run beyond. He got that when Ollie Watkins replaced Kane, but that is not a viable solution for the rest of the tournament. Dropping Kane is not the answer.
But getting more pace around him is, which is why Shearer believes that Gordon needs to come into the attack.
The Newcastle winger is yet to feature at Euro 2024, but that must change. It was a real surprise to see him sit on the bench for a second consecutive game, especially when you consider the season he has just had and how dangerous he has looked when he has played for England.
Southgate even passed up the chance to bring Gordon on, opting for Eberechi Eze instead. While the Crystal Palace man is outstanding, he is not going to stretch a defence like Gordon.
Following two poor displays and one group game to go, Southgate needs to mix it up against Slovenia in an attempt to find a solution.
Gordon can be that solution.
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