According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have reached complete agreement on personal terms with Anthony Gordon. They are ready to offer Newcastle United £70 million for the 25-year-old winger. Importantly, bringing him in doesn't rule out signing a centre forward such as Julian Alvarez or Joao Pedro, as both are considered separate deals.
Public opinion over this transfer is deeply skeptical; and rightly so. The most obvious thing is Gordon's output this season. 6 goals and 2 assists over 26 Premier League games seems way too low for that price.
However, judging Gordon purely on basic goal statistics ignores his true tactical value. We must factor in that he played for a side like Newcastle United, eye tests suggests he definitely has the calibre of being a world-class player for a dominant side like Barcelona.
A fluid front three
Deco has reiterated the idea that Barcelona wants a fluid, unpredictable front line. Gordon fits this bill exactly. A right-footed left winger capable of playing across all three front three positions, he is also highly effective as a false nine.
He is incredibly versatile. He primarily plays as a left winger, but he can be an extremely dangerous central forward as well. If the club don't manage to sign Alvarez or Joao Pedro, he can act as an excellent false nine.
His willingness to run deep pulls opposition centre backs out of position, opening up space for other forwards. If the club does sign a proper centre forward, he would shift over to the left flank as a direct competitor for Raphinha.
The tactical data profile
When comparing him against all other attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe's top 5 leagues, it is clear exactly how efficient Gordon actually is.
- Goalscoring Threat: Despite being part of a inconsistent team, Gordon's underlying threat still registers as elite. His non-penalty goals per 90 is in the 93rd percentile.
- Shot Volume: Gordon is a highly aggressive attacker in the final third, ranking in the 82nd percentile for total shot attempts. He is willing to cut inside on his left and pull the trigger, registering an Expected Goals (xG) value of 8.79 on the season.
- Retention and Efficiency: Gordon dribbled successfully 33 times, at a 47.1% success rate. Though low on paper, eye tests suggests he's someone who's not afraid of 1v1 situations. His passing in the opposition half stands at 81.8%, which tells us he is unlikely to lose the ball in a tight area.
Unpredictability and off-the-ball quality
The eye test confirms what the statistics translate on the pitch. Gordon is an unpredictable player to defend. You don't know if he's going to beat you with pace, dribble past you, or whip in a lethal cross. He couples his potent finishing ability with excellent crossing, as he registered 26 clear-cut chances and 5 big chances for a goal-shy Newcastle United.
His off-the-ball quality is why he would fit right in at Hansi Flick's system. Gordon registered 92 defensive contributions and 57 ball recoveries this season, while winning the ball in the final third on 10 occasions.
This shows his ability to carry out a high-pressing, relentless system. If Barcelona sign a centre forward, Gordon moves into the left wing position to challenge Raphinha directly. If the club deploys the money elsewhere, he can perform as a central attacker with his ability to draw players out of position.
His combination of raw speed, defensive commitment and attacking flair make him the ideal transfer for 70 million.
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