‘I wasn’t playing’ - Anthony Gordon expands on Newcastle United exit after £70m transfer
Anthony Gordon is on World Cup duty with England and will officially become a Barcelona player on July 1.
Anthony Gordon believes missing Newcastle United’s last six games of the season serves as ideal preparation for the World Cup.
Toon chiefs acted swiftly following the Premier League campaign to sanction his £70million move to Barcelona. Gordon was an unused substitute as 2025-26 drew to a close, with his final act as a Toon star being substituted against Crystal Palace.
He is now focused on winning the World Cup with England ahead of officially becoming a Barca player on July 1. In an honest admission, Gordon suggested missing Newcastle’s run-in proved beneficial.
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‘I’m very grateful’ - Anthony Gordon
“I’m in a different situation to Dec (Declan Rice),” he told England’s media channel. “He had a lot going on right until the very end (of the season). I had a different end to the season in terms of… I wasn’t playing the last couple of games.
“So I feel mentally and physically in an amazing place. I’m very, very fresh. I think it’s very important.
“I went to the last tournament, the Euros, and I picked up an injury in the second-to-last game (for Newcastle). So it was very important for me this time to come in physically fresh and I’ve been able to do that. So I’m very grateful.”
Anthony Gordon on learning Spanish
Gordon also claimed it took him just six Spanish lessons to master the language. He added: “It’s difficult. Everyone only sees the end results and assumes it’s easy. When you practice a little bit, it obviously becomes a lot easier. But it’s really difficult, you’re learning a completely new language.
“You’re trying to translate everything you’re thinking in English to Spanish. It’s really hard. I had six lessons (to learn Spanish). I’ve had nine now, I’ve had a couple more while I’ve been in camp. I’m not intellectually smart, to be honest.
“Like I said in my press conference, I’ve always kind of spoken a little bit of Spanish with my physio at Newcastle. But in terms of actual lessons, I’ve had nine now, six (to learn the language).”
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