When a football club sells its star player, it always creates a big hole that needs to be filled. For Newcastle United, the late-summer sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool was exactly that kind of moment.
Isak was the main source of goals, the player the team looked to when they needed something special. Since his departure, the team has found goals much harder to come by in the Premier League.
The start of the season has been a bit of a struggle, with the team scoring only three times in their first five league matches. While they enjoyed a high-scoring win in the Carabao Cup, it is clear that manager Eddie Howe needs to find a new and reliable way to score goals against top-level opposition.
Naturally, a lot of hope is placed on the new signings. The club spent a significant amount of money to bring in strikers Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, and everyone is eager to see how they will adapt and contribute.
But there is another feeling growing within the club, a belief that the answer might also come from a player who is already there.
There is a real sense of excitement and expectation building around Anthony Gordon. People inside Newcastle United are reportedly convinced that this season will be the one where he truly shines brighter than ever before.
Last season was a bit of a rollercoaster for Gordon. It began with constant rumors linking him with a move to Liverpool, which can be distracting for any player.
Then, towards the end of the campaign, he received a red card that meant he missed important games. It was a year that showed flashes of his talent but was ultimately inconsistent.
However, the feeling now is that those experiences have helped him mature. According to reports, his attitude and work ethic during the summer break were “off the charts.”
He returned for pre-season training with a clear focus and a determination to improve his game even further. It seems he has used the offseason not just to rest, but to prepare himself physically and mentally for a huge year.
This renewed commitment made the start of this season even more frustrating for him. After all that preparation, he was shown a red card in the second league game against Liverpool.
The resulting three-match suspension meant he had to sit and watch as his teammates played against Leeds, Wolves, and Bournemouth.
It was a difficult setback, forcing him to pause just as he was ready to get his campaign started. For a player full of energy and desire, being forced to the sidelines is incredibly tough.
That ban is now over. Gordon made his return to the pitch in the cup win against Bradford City, and he looked sharp and involved, playing on the left side of the attack.
It was a positive comeback, a chance to blow off the rust and get back into the rhythm of playing. But the real starting point for his season is now.
This weekend, he is available to play against Arsenal in a massive Premier League fixture. This is where the real test begins.
He already managed to get his first goal of the season in the Champions League match against Barcelona, which will have been a great confidence booster.
Now, the challenge is to build on that. The internal belief at Newcastle is that Gordon is ready to hit “new heights.” They see a player who is hungrier, more focused, and more complete than ever before.
The club invested £45 million in him because they saw his incredible potential. Now, with the main striker role open for the taking and the team needing a hero, the stage is set for Anthony Gordon.
This season represents a perfect opportunity for him to become the leader of the attack and show the world why the club has so much faith in him.
For Newcastle fans, the hope is that this internal conviction is right, and that this is the year Anthony Gordon delivers on his immense promise.
