Thomas Tuchel issued a glowing appraisal of Anthony Gordon after the Newcastle United star scored in England’s win over Latvia.
England qualified for the 2026 World Cup after a 5-0 victory in Riga, with Newcastle winger Gordon scoring the opener.
He was praised by the national media for his performance, which also saw him almost set up Harry Kane.
Gordon faces a battle with in-form Marcus Rashford for a starting berth on the left wing ahead of the 2026 World Cup next summer.
Slowly but surely, the 24-year-old is making a name for himself at international level. Gordon went to Euro 2024 with the Three Lions but was barely handed a chance by Gareth Southgate.
Tuchel, however, was impressed with what he saw.
Thomas Tuchel praises Anthony Gordon
The England manager was speaking in a press conference after the game.
Tuchel was asked how important it was to have a player as direct as Gordon in the squad. During the final days of Southgate’s tenure, England were often criticised for not having that kind of threat on the left wing.
Still, Tuchel appears to have put faith in him now.
“I think it’s a very good performance,” he said.
“I think Anthony deserved to stay in the team. He is a direct player, I think this is his biggest strength, to go direct and go again and again.
“To have this repetition in his intensity. He just collects high intensity runs, he collects metres in sprints and this is so, so good.
“It’s important that he knows his strengths and plays exactly into his strengths. Now we play a high-press and he’s important against the ball. He was clinical today with the first goal that calmed our nerves and set the tone and set the game in the right direction.
“So, well played again. Another good performance from him.”
Anthony Gordon is answering England’s big problem
During England’s run to the Euro 2024 final, Phil Foden attracted a lot of criticism.
While no doubt a supreme talent, Foden did not look natural playing on the left last summer. The fact he rarely had a left-footed left-back in the team also cannot have helped.
As such, figures close to the England camp were surprised Southgate didn’t use Gordon more often at Euro 2024.
That feels like a long time ago now. Rashford offers competition but Gordon would appear to have the shirt.
So much was made about England’s lack of a left-winger last summer but that feels like a very long time ago now.
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