England captain Harry Kane has praised Anthony Gordon’s development since his move to Barcelona, saying the winger is now showing qualities that have made him a key player for the national team.
Gordon scored England’s opening goal in the 2-0 Nations League victory over Czechia before Kane added a second late in the match. The result came after England’s 3-2 defeat to Spain in their previous fixture.
Kane believes Gordon’s move to Barcelona has helped change the way his abilities are viewed, particularly his technical quality and football intelligence.
Gordon himself recently said he felt his qualities were not always fully appreciated in England. He explained that his pace and pressing were often highlighted at Newcastle, while playing a possession-based style at Barcelona has allowed other parts of his game to become more visible.
The winger has quickly become an important part of England manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans. Gordon also scored against Spain earlier in the international window, while Kane put England ahead in that match before Spain eventually won 3-2.
Kane’s comments come as Gordon continues to establish himself alongside England’s leading attacking players. His performances have given the national team another option in wide areas and added to the competition for places ahead of future international fixtures.
Gordon’s move to Barcelona has also placed him in a different tactical environment. At Newcastle, he was regularly involved in a high-intensity style built around pressing, running and quick transitions. At Barcelona, he is being asked to contribute within a more possession-focused system alongside established attacking players.
The change appears to have strengthened Gordon’s confidence. He previously said he wanted to leave the Premier League partly because he believed he had more to offer than was generally recognised and wanted to prove himself on a bigger stage.
England will continue their Nations League campaign against Croatia next, with Gordon expected to remain part of Tuchel’s attacking plans. His recent performances have added another layer to the manager’s options as the team prepares for upcoming international challenges.
For Gordon, the move to Barcelona represents an opportunity to demonstrate that his game extends beyond speed and aggression. For England, his development provides another attacking player capable of making an impact at international level