Luke Edwards has launched a sharp critique of Newcastle United’s winger Anthony Gordon, questioning his quality and suggesting that the England international has yet to prove he belongs among the Premier League’s elite players.
Gordon, who has been one of Newcastle’s most talked-about figures since his arrival, has endured a frustrating start to the season.
His struggles have been compounded by a fresh injury setback during the Magpies’ 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Club on Wednesday night, where he was forced to leave the pitch before halftime.
The 24-year-old forward, who shone for Newcastle last season with his pace, directness, and goals, has found it difficult to rediscover that spark this term.
Despite excelling on European nights, Gordon has failed to make a meaningful impact in domestic competition, registering no goals or assists in his first seven Premier League matches.
All five of his goal involvements this season have come in the Champions League, highlighting a worrying inconsistency in his performances across different competitions.
In his column for The Telegraph, journalist Luke Edwards didn’t hold back, describing Gordon as “lethargic, sloppy, and sometimes uninterested.”
According to Edwards, the winger’s dip in form has become too significant to ignore and raises legitimate doubts about his long-term importance to Eddie Howe’s project at St James’ Park. “If Gordon really was an elite player, if he was absolutely crucial to Newcastle, it would not even be a debate,” Edwards wrote.
“The fact the 24-year-old has these question marks hanging over him is not good enough. It is becoming a recurring theme for Newcastle, with fans and coaching staff starting to worry.”
Edwards also touched on the potential implications of Gordon’s poor form for his international career. The forward has been a regular under England boss Thomas Tuchel during the World Cup qualifiers, but his place could be under threat if his club struggles continue.
“With a World Cup on the horizon, Gordon has played himself into Tuchel’s starting XI in the qualifiers, but the German will be watching closely,” Edwards continued.
“If he loses his place at Newcastle and Howe could easily play Harvey Barnes ahead of him it could put paid to his World Cup dream.”
For Newcastle fans, this assessment reflects a growing concern. Gordon’s performances have lacked the intensity and sharpness that once made him a fan favorite.
His last Premier League goal dates back to January, when he scored in a 3-0 win over Wolves, and his last assist came in the same month against Southampton. Since then, he has gone 21 league games without a direct contribution to a goal a statistic that underlines his current struggles.
Compounding matters, Gordon’s injury problems have resurfaced at the worst possible time. The forward was forced off during the Champions League victory over Athletic with what appeared to be a recurrence of a lingering hip issue that had already affected his fitness in recent weeks.
Eddie Howe, speaking after the match, confirmed that the club would need to assess the extent of the injury before making any decisions about his availability.
“I’ve not spoken to him in detail,” Howe said. “It seems like a recurrence of his hip injury that has been plaguing him in recent weeks. We’ll assess that and see what damage is there.”
The uncertainty surrounding his fitness has cast further doubt on his chances of featuring in Sunday’s Premier League trip to Brentford. For a player desperately in need of form and rhythm, another spell on the sidelines could be a major setback.
What makes Gordon’s current form even more concerning is the contrast between his European and domestic displays. In the Champions League, he has been sharp, scoring goals and pressing effectively.
But in the Premier League, his performances have often lacked energy and end product, leaving many to wonder why he cannot translate his midweek form into weekend consistency.
Eddie Howe remains a firm believer in Gordon’s potential, having praised the player’s attitude and work rate in the past. However, with Harvey Barnes nearing full fitness and other attacking options like Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almirón also available, the manager may soon face a difficult selection decision. If Gordon fails to rediscover his spark, his place in the starting lineup and perhaps his standing at the club could be at risk.
For now, Newcastle will wait for news on Gordon’s injury and hope it’s not another lengthy setback. But the questions surrounding his form, mentality, and consistency will not go away easily.
Once seen as one of the Premier League’s most promising young wingers, Anthony Gordon now faces a crucial moment in his career one that will determine whether he can truly live up to the expectations that came with his £45 million move to Tyneside.
Until he proves otherwise, critics like Luke Edwards will continue to question whether Gordon has what it takes to be an elite player, and whether his flashes of brilliance in Europe can finally be matched by consistent performances in England’s top flight.
