Eddie Howe drops Anthony Gordon 'future' bombshell as Newcastle United transfer speculation takes fresh twist
Eddie Howe has explained his decision not to play Anthony Gordon for Newcastle United at Nottingham Forest.
Anthony Gordon is yet to feature for Newcastle United since Eddie Howe issued a stern warning about player commitment last month.
Howe claimed that he would not play any player if he doesn’t feel they are ‘100% committed to the club and its future’. Gordon has since missed two games due to injury before being an unused substitute in the past two games since his return.
Gordon has been heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle this summer with his representatives spotted meeting in Barcelona in the build-up to the Nottingham Forest match.
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Sky Sport in Germany have also claimed talks have progressed with Bayern Munich to the point where a potential five-year contract offer has been proposed.
When asked directly if he thinks Gordon is ‘100% committed’ to Newcastle and its future, Howe added: “Yeah, he wouldn't be in the squad if that wasn't the case. And I judge that, as I said many times, I don't judge that on communications elsewhere, I do that with my relationship with the player and how I see them train.”
Eddie Howe makes bombshell Anthony Gordon suggestion
But Gordon’s lack of on-field involvement has ultimately fuelled the narrative.
“Obviously, he’s returned from an injury,” Howe explained when asked why Gordon didn’t feature. “I’m looking at the team, and I’ve been pleased with how the team has performed in the last three games. So, I haven’t wanted to make too many changes.”
Howe then suggested to BBC Newcastle that part of the reason why he is not playing Gordon is because he is ‘looking at the future’.
“It [the decision not to select Gordon] was tactical,” said Howe. “The team has performed well in Anthony’s absence.
Obviously, we’ve gone with a bit more solidity with Joelinton playing wide and one winger on the other side, just to try to strengthen us defensively.
“We weren’t happy with how we were defending since January really, we’ve been disappointed. So. it was a change of structure really.
“Ant’s come back to fitness and he’s training well, but I’m also looking at the future as well.”