88 goals since leaving: Newcastle flop who was sold for £9M is now on par with Gordon
Newcastle United enters a crucial stretch in March with inconsistent form, facing tough fixtures, including a chance to claim silverware in the EFL Trophy final against Liverpool.
Eddie Howe’s squad has delivered mixed performances, securing home victories over Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in both league and cup competitions but suffering defeats against Manchester City and Arne Slot’s dominant league leaders.
Adding to their woes, the team recently crashed out of the FA Cup following an extra-time defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Danny Welbeck and former Newcastle player Yankuba Minteh delivered the final blows in that heartbreaking FA Cup exit, with Minteh scoring the decisive goal deep into extra time.
Newcastle struggled to maintain intensity throughout the grueling 120 minutes, and Anthony Gordon’s dismissal only compounded their problems.
His red card, the result of an altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke, now puts his participation in the Wembley final in jeopardy. Although Newcastle intends to appeal the decision, the likelihood of overturning the suspension remains uncertain.
Despite Gordon’s impressive contributions this season, with nine goals and six assists in 34 appearances, his performance against Brighton was far from his best.
He failed to complete a single dribble before being sent off, leaving his team in a vulnerable position. Missing the final against Liverpool would be a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering the significance of the occasion.
| Stat | Gordon | Minteh |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 83 | 69 |
| Goals | 0 | 1 |
| Touches | 50 | 32 |
| Shots | 1 | 1 |
| Accurate Passes | 19/26 | 12/18 |
| Key Passes | 1 | 2 |
| Successful Dribbles | 0/4 | 1/2 |
| Ground Duels Won | 3/10 | 4/7 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 0/1 | 0/0 |
| Tackles | 1 | 2 |
His return to the starting lineup seems inevitable, but Newcastle could benefit from an additional attacking threat.
One former player who has revived his career away from St. James’ Park is Florian Thauvin. Once considered a flop during his brief stint in the Premier League, where he managed just one goal in 16 appearances, he has since transformed into an elite playmaker.
Now thriving in Italy with Udinese, Thauvin has already notched eight goals and five assists in the 2024/25 season, closely mirroring Gordon’s output despite playing fewer matches.
His resurgence has showcased the talent Newcastle once failed to unlock, with his ability to twist and turn defenders earning him widespread praise.
Former teammate Moussa Sissoko even described him as “unbelievable,” a testament to his technical brilliance and resilience.
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20/21 | 38 | 8 | 9 |
| 19/20 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 18/19 | 37 | 18 | 9 |
| 17/18 | 54 | 26 | 17 |
| 16/17 | 43 | 15 | 12 |
| 15/16 | 20 | 4 | 0 |
| 14/15 | 38 | 5 | 7 |
| 13/14 | 41 | 10 | 6 |
His return to form in France following his Newcastle exit was nothing short of spectacular. During his eight seasons at Marseille, he amassed 147 goal contributions, cementing his status as one of Ligue 1’s most productive attackers.
His tally of 88 goals since leaving Newcastle highlights his consistency and ability to perform at a high level.
While Gordon remains a crucial piece of Howe’s project, his current suspension disrupts Newcastle’s attacking flow. Meanwhile, Thauvin continues to shine in Serie A, proving that a player’s success often depends on the right environment.
As Newcastle pushes forward in their pursuit of silverware, comparisons between past and present talents add another layer of intrigue to their journey.