Gary Lineker shares what he told Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon after England lost the Euro 2024 final
Having made just one appearance and played five minutes at Euro 2024, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon will no doubt feel he had more to give. Throughout England’s campaign at the Euros, it often felt as if Gareth Southgate’s attack lacked balance and pace at times.
For the majority of the tournament, England switched between Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden on the left – two exceptional footballers. However, neither are at their best out wide and played in the role solely because they were too good to be on the bench.
Throughout the tournament, it was constantly said that England lacked runners, they were missing someone chasing in behind. Yet, Newcastle star Gordon, who has bags of energy and raw pace, remained on the bench watching on.
In that regard, perhaps Ollie Watkins’ cameos best delineated what Gordon could have provided were he involved more. Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer discussed this on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast after Sunday night’s disappointment.
Gary Lineker told Anthony Gordon that he should have got more minutes for England.
The pair were initially discussing Harry Kane’s struggles to find his top form and then explained how Gordon could have helped the situation by running in behind. Lineker shared a brief conversation he had with Gordon after the game, admitting that the Newcastle star should have had more minutes.
He said, “I saw Anthony Gordon after the game. I said to him briefly, I said, I feel for you in this tournament – I think you should have got more minutes. And he was very kind, and I went but don’t worry, you will get more chances. It will happen for you, he’s very young.”
Shearer then replied, explaining how difficult it was to drop Kane, and why Gordon should have been involved as a willing runner.
He commented, “There’s no way you can ever drop your captain and your record goalscorer and a guy who’s on three goals without playing particularly well. So it’s impossible, I mean you couldn’t do it and I wouldn’t have done it. I would have kept him in the team but I would have had more legs in and around him to run past him because you said it, he’s a great scorer and always will be a great scorer.”
As stated, Newcastle United star Gordon will add to his four England caps regularly in the future – a huge talent at Southgate’s disposal.
But when the dust settles on Euro 2024, many will still feel that Southgate missed a trick not turning to the 23-year-old for a significant role in any of England’s seven games at the tournament.
Gordon’s pace, energy, and ability to run in behind defenders could have provided the dynamism England’s attack sorely lacked.
Southgate’s decision to keep Gordon on the bench might have been a strategic error, given the winger’s potential to change the game’s dynamics. With more opportunities likely to come his way, Gordon’s future with the national team looks promising.
His raw talent and determination will undoubtedly make him a key player for England in future tournaments. Southgate and the team will need to harness his skills better to ensure that England’s attack remains potent and balanced.
