Newcastle United are preparing for a massively important season, and they may have just inadvertently received a boost.
Eddie Howe and his players have started their pre-season preparations, with the likes of Joelinton back at the club’s training ground ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
But there are some Newcastle United players who are not present, having competed at major international tournaments over the summer. That includes the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron, Fabian Schar and Martin Dubravka.
Newcastle United’s England stars fall short at Euro 2024
And it also includes Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon, who helped England reach the final of Euro 2024. Sadly for the Toon duo, the Three Lions lost to Spain.
Trippier was an unused substitute in the final, despite starting every other England game at Euro 2024. Gordon also failed to feature against Spain, enduring a dismal end to what has been a frustrating tournament for the 23-year-old.
But it is that frustration that could benefit Newcastle United.
Anthony Gordon forced his way into the England team
This time last year, Anthony Gordon had one goal – to be in the England squad for Euro 2024.
He was going to perform so well for Newcastle United that Gareth Southgate could not ignore him, and that is exactly what he did.
Gordon was one of Newcastle’s best players last season, performing at a level we have never seen before. He was one of the most decisive wingers in the entire Premier League, and also impressed on the Champions League stage.
In total, Gordon scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists from 48 appearances in all competitions. The speedster wanted to be one of Eddie Howe’s most reliable players, and he did that by always being available and always trying to make a difference.
That led him into the England squad, and the hope was that he would play a key role for the Three Lions in Germany.
Anthony Gordon will return to Newcastle with a point to prove
But that was not the case.
Gordon made just one appearance for England at Euro 2024. He played five minutes in total, doing his best to have an impact off the bench in a 0-0 draw with Slovenia. He certainly did have an impact, with Harry Kane calling Gordon ‘fantastic’ after that cameo.
Sadly, that was the only cameo Gordon made at the European Championship.
Throughout the entire tournament, England needed more width and pace. That is what you get from Gordon, yet Southgate ignored him time and time again.
It must have been immensely frustrating for the £40million player, who now has a fresh point to prove when he returns to Newcastle United.
Gordon has gone to a greater level in black and white, but it seems he needs to be even greater again to be a regular starter for England.
That should give him the inspiration to be even better for Newcastle United, having already proven so many people wrong over the past 12 months.
Gordon had the motivation to excel for the Magpies during the 2023/24 season, and now he should have even more motivation. And that could be to the benefit of Eddie Howe.
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