{"id":296291,"date":"2023-11-07T01:27:43","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T01:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=296291"},"modified":"2023-11-07T01:27:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T01:27:43","slug":"how-anthony-gordon-became-central-to-newcastles-champions-league-hopes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/soccer\/how-anthony-gordon-became-central-to-newcastles-champions-league-hopes\/","title":{"rendered":"How Anthony Gordon became central to Newcastle\u2019s Champions League hopes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On current form, he might be. That may not surprise Thomas Tuchel, who wanted to sign Gordon for Chelsea in 2022, but represents swift progress nonetheless, albeit from a man who does everything at speed. Gordon began the season in a job-share with Harvey Barnes on the left flank. Now he is indispensable there and Plan C in the middle which, with Alexander Isak injured and Wilson rarely playing 90 minutes, can give him the most iconic of duties on Tyneside: being Newcastle\u2019s centre forward.<\/p>\n
There is a question if Gordon can keep on running; he has never started more than 30 club games in a season and is already up to 13 now. \u201cI\u2019m maxed out but I do feel good,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not complaining.\u201d Rather, he is grasping an opportunity. \u201cI can\u2019t praise him enough,\u201d Howe added. \u201cAfter a difficult first few months at the club, where he was keen to show his qualities, he was patient and learned how we play and now he is reaping the rewards.\u201d<\/p>\n
One came in the form of a tap-in against Arsenal, equalling his career-best tally of four goals in a season. It was a curiosity when Gordon said: \u201cI used to be obsessed with goals and assists.\u201d Yet they were never his forte. He only scored seven times in 78 games for Everton; even then, three of his four goals in 2021-22 were deflected. He scarcely seems the most clinical of finishers. If the next step is to add more goals, Gordon has a nuisance value that means he is irrepressible. It has made him central, in more ways than one.<\/p>\n