Alan Shearer has now given his honest verdict on Anthony Gordon’s performance during his England debut against Brazil.
In what was otherwise a disappointing defeat for Gareth Southgate’s men, Gordon was one of the few bright sparks who have a good account of themselves.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer explained what it was about Gordon’s debut for England that had impressed him so much despite the 1-0 loss.
Shearer thinks Gordon was one of England’s ‘few positives’
By now, supporters are used to pretty dull affairs when watching England play, but there was hope that some new players in the squad could inject a bit of life into the game.
That was very almost the case for Gordon who was making intelligent runs into the box and looking to drive at the defence like he does week in week out for Newcastle in the Premier League.
The winger was unlucky not to come away with a goal or an assist with a couple of good efforts and crosses, though nobody on the England team ever really looked like they were going to threaten the goal.
In terms of putting himself in Southgate’s mind for the European Championships this summer, there was very little Gordon could have done differently to give him the best chance of being included in the next England squad.
On Gordon, Shearer said: “I thought Anthony Gordon did everything he could do. He looked a threat, he worked so hard trying to cut inside on his right foot and had a couple of dangerous efforts. He was without doubt one of the few positives on the night and he can be very pleased with his debut.”
Gordon must be one of the first name’s on the plane
Obviously the one thing Gordon lacks at the minute is experience in England’s first team, but in terms of who is currently in the best form there are few options who should be ahead of him right now.
The £45m attacker has nine goals and five assists to his name in the league this season and has been absolutely integral to everything that Newcastle have done despite them sitting in mid table.
One thing that has been particularly impressive about Gordon this season is how often he shows up in the big games, scoring goals against Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea.
It’s something that England could really use in the latter stages of the tournament this summer should Southgate eventually change things up from the usual starting XI which left the country frustrtaed during the World Cup.
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