When Anthony Gordon left Newcastle United for Barcelona this summer, becoming only the second English player to sign permanently for the Catalan giants after Gary Lineker in 1986, the move raised eyebrows across European football. His Premier League output had been modest, with six goals and two assists in 26 appearances for a Newcastle side that finished 12th, prompting scepticism about whether he was ready for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Yet Gordon's European form told a different story. Across 12 Champions League matches last season, he scored 10 goals, trailing only Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich's Harry Kane in the competition's scoring charts. That form included a personal experience of the Nou Camp itself, when Newcastle were thrashed 7-2 by Barcelona in the second leg of their last-16 tie, an 8-3 aggregate defeat that nonetheless gave Gordon an early taste of what life at the club might look like.
Barcelona's sporting director Deco explained the decision to prioritize Gordon over other targets, including Manchester United's Marcus Rashford. "Our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony's," Deco said. "His style fits with what the coach is looking for."
That judgment appears to be paying off. Operating mainly from the left flank under coach Hansi Flick, Gordon has quickly established himself as a key component of Barcelona's attack, even though he is yet to open his goal-scoring account in Spain. His pace, directness and movement have complemented the club's other attacking talents, particularly Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, while his willingness to press without the ball has added another dimension to Flick's system.
Flick has praised Gordon's contribution despite the lack of goals so far. "I think as a striker, from his side, you want to score goals. He has had some chances and he missed them," Flick said. "But he has made the final pass to prepare the goals and this is also very important."
That selflessness was on full display during Gordon's league debut against Elche, where he registered two assists within four minutes. In one notable passage of play, he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but chose to square the ball for Fermin Lopez to tap in rather than attempt to score himself. The decision resonated with supporters as a sign of his team-first mentality.
"You always want to win but it's always about the team first," Gordon said after the match. "Especially at this club."
The Englishman has also spoken warmly about settling into life in Catalonia. "I feel at home already," Gordon said. "The city is amazing. The guys have made me feel so welcome. I think I will get better and better the longer I'm here."
Barcelona's attacking form has been electric to start the campaign, with 22 goals scored and just three conceded across their opening five matches, the club's best start since Flick took over in May 2024. Raphinha leads the scoring charts with eight goals, followed by Yamal with five, but Gordon's tactical versatility, whether stretching play out wide, attacking space in behind or drifting inside to combine with team-mates, has added a new layer to the side's attacking options.
It remains early days, and Gordon still awaits his first Barcelona goal, with questions remaining over whether he can sustain this level of performance across a full season. But the conversation surrounding him has shifted dramatically. Where once pundits debated whether he deserved a place in Barcelona's starting XI, attention has now turned to just how influential he might become.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.