Chris Sutton has suggested Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon has some serious thinking to do about a switch to Scotland after being snubbed again by England.
Gordon was again snubbed by Gareth Southgate after a very impressive start to the season for Newcastle, sparking a conversation that he could make the switch to Scotland ahead of Euro 2024.
Speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast, Sutton suggested that there is too much competition in Gordon’s position and that the winger has to progress in the near future.
Anthony Gordon has some ‘thinking to do’ on England switch
The 22-year-old should feel somewhat hard done by after being snubbed again for the England team despite a brilliant performance in the Under-21 Euros in the summer and a great start to the season for Newcastle in the Premier League.
Gordon has already scored four goals – his joint-most for a season – and has provided a further two assists as well as winning two crucial penalties for Newcastle, but still no England call.
Yet Southgate continues to pick the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish who many would argue have underperformed this season, with just one league goal between them.
So, the question is, if Gordon can’t impress Southgate enough to be included in two practically pointless qualifiers, why shouldn’t he look to Scotland where he could be a star man and pretty much guarantee his spot at an international tournament next summer?
Chris Sutton thinks that Gordon has a lot of thinking to do, but that his future with England has to pick up soon.
Sutton said: “The longer he goes and the position in which he plays in, normally off the left, you’ve got Raheem Sterling who can’t get in the squad.
“Would he be ahead of Gordon in the pecking order? Yes, he would. So, as the years go on, he will have thinking to do.
“From his perspective it must be about progressing in the near future with England, otherwise why wouldn’t he want to play for Scotland in a major tournament?”
Gordon could be superstar for Scotland
Scotland have probably been the surprise package of the Euro 2024 qualifiers and confirmed their place in the tournament with two games left to play, beating Spain along the way.
Though they have impressed so far, one thing they don’t have is a serious threat going forwards. Scott McTominay has done exceptionally well to score seven goals in qualifying, but he isn’t exactly a reliable goalscorer.
Gordon could give the Scots that attacking spark, a burst of energy to drive them up the pitch in big games and may be the difference in having a successful tournament or not.
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