Micah Richards has heaped huge praise on one of Newcastle United’s brightest stars, describing him as “next level” and even placing him above Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford in terms of performance and impact.
The former Manchester City defender, now a popular pundit, couldn’t hold back his admiration after watching Anthony Gordon impress once again while representing England.
It’s been a very positive international break for several Newcastle players, with many continuing their fine form from club level. Nick Woltemade has been the standout name, building on his impressive start to life in England.
The powerful German striker, who became Newcastle’s record signing during the summer, carried his momentum into international duty by finding the net against Northern Ireland.
His latest goal adds to what has been a brilliant run five goals in all competitions so far and it’s clear he’s only getting started. His physical presence, intelligent movement, and confidence in front of goal have made him a key figure for both club and country.
Bruno Guimarães has also enjoyed a strong spell with Brazil. The midfielder started both of his nation’s recent matches, a comfortable 5-0 win over South Korea and a narrow 3-2 loss to Japan.
Although Brazil suffered a setback in the second game, the fact that Bruno retained his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s first starting lineup since taking over is a major sign of his importance.
As Brazil build towards the 2026 World Cup, Bruno continues to prove he’s central to their plans a reflection of the same consistency and influence he brings every week for Newcastle.
Not every player, however, had such an enjoyable break. Anthony Elanga endured a tough time with Sweden, who are struggling badly in World Cup qualifying.
They suffered more defeats against Kosovo and Switzerland, continuing a disappointing run of form. Elanga, who is still waiting for his first Newcastle goal since joining the club, would have hoped for a confidence boost while away on international duty, but things didn’t go his way.
Both he and Eddie Howe will be eager to see a turnaround when Premier League action resumes.
While Elanga faced frustration, Anthony Gordon has been doing quite the opposite thriving for both club and country. The winger, who has grown into one of Newcastle’s most influential attackers under Howe, continued to shine on the international stage.
His second goal for England in their 5-0 victory over Latvia drew immediate attention and applause, with Micah Richards leading the chorus of admiration.
Richards was full of praise for Gordon’s development and confidence, highlighting the winger’s all-around improvement this season.
He described Gordon as being on a completely different level, even comparing him favorably to Rashford, who is currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United after signing a lucrative £12 million-a-year deal.
“I think Gordon’s taken his game to the next level,” Richards said. “He’s always been confident and capable of going both ways, and he’s even shown he can play up front when needed.
But out wide is where he’s at his best. His final ball has really improved some of the crosses he put in tonight were better than anything I’ve seen from him before.”
Richards’ comments capture what many have noticed this season Gordon’s transformation into a complete player. His speed, energy, and relentless work rate have always been evident, but now he’s added sharper decision-making, better delivery, and a killer instinct in the final third.
His ability to create and score has made him a nightmare for defenders, and his performances for England are proving he belongs among the country’s elite young talents.
For Newcastle, Gordon’s rise is another sign of how far the club has come. Once seen as a promising youngster, he’s now one of the Premier League’s most exciting wingers confident, fearless, and delivering consistently.
As Micah Richards said, he’s operating on a “next level,” and if he keeps performing like this, there’s no doubt he’ll stay there for a long time to come.
