Newcastle legend has strict order for Anthony Gordon to get into England squad
Chris Waddle believes Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon is England bound but has told him to cut out the diving.
Tyneside legend Waddle who was pure box office and went on to play for Spurs and Marseille in addition to earning 62 Three Lions caps insists 22-year-old Gordon has the attributes to replicate some of his success. Gordon faces Spurs in North London today having come through a gruelling return to former club Everton on Thursday night where he was continually booed and found himself on the end of a 3-0 drubbing.
It was an underwhelming start to life at St. James’ Park following January’s £45 million move but being named player of the tournament in England’s success in last summer’s European Under 21 championships gave Gordon lift off for his Newcastle career.
Waddle says some people were too quick to judge Gordon last season. “Just because you’ve arrived for a big fee doesn’t guarantee you are going to hit the ground running. Some players are confident, unflustered by the move and get going straight away. Others can be a bit shy, a bit hesitant and it’s a struggle early on.
“You’ve got to remember with Anthony Gordon he had been at Everton all his life and this was his first move. I remember going from Newcastle to Tottenham. In my first year, yes I got 14, 15 goals but I knew I had a lot more to give.
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“I told that to the manager Peter Shreeves and what helped was settling in the area and making friends, some of whom are still friends today. All of a sudden you feel part of the area, part of the club. You feel you fit in and your confidence grows.
“A lot of people were too quick to say in his first months that Newcastle had paid too much, things like that. You have to give anyone time. In two seasons time if he wasn’t doing it then you can understand that sort of talk.
“He went away with the England Under 21s in the summer, players he knew, did well and got his confidence back. People were going ‘what a tournament you’ve had’ which meant he walked through the door at Newcastle at the start of the season stating that he was ready.
Toon legend Chris Waddle has told Gordon to cut out the theatrics“Right now he’s on fire, he looks quick, he looks sharp, he’s got a goal in his locker. He’s a good outlet on that wing, he’s got terrific pace. He can go outside he can come inside. He has bags of energy.”
England head coach Gareth Southgate recently hinted that Gordon could be promoted into his senior squad. Waddle added: ““There’s no reason why he can’t break into the England squad. Gareth Southgate always says that he picks players who on form. The kid is playing well and is full of confidence.
“It’s the next step up from the England Under 21s where he was the player of the tournament when England won the European Championships in the summer.
“So why shouldn’t he be given a chance? There’s also a lot of players in the England squad not getting games for their clubs. There’s no reason why he can’t push for a place in next summer’s seniors European Championships.”
But there is a caveat with Waddle stressing: “The only thing I will say, and he’s not alone in this, he goes down far too easily. Even the fans see that. There is no need because he is a good player.
“Every little trip he goes rolling and rolling. When there’s hardly any contact he still goes down and it’s as if he’s broken his leg only to eventually get up and walk away.
“What’s all that about? I know it’s an advantage to get a free-kick and it happens more than in my day. I could name loads of players who do the same. My team-mates would have pulled me and told me stop doing it. My manager at Newcastle, Arthur Cox would definitely have told anyone to cut it out immediately.
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“There’s probably 200, 300 players who do the same as Gordon every Saturday. But as a footballer he is getting better.
“All successful teams right from the top like Argentina have this type of player. You need these players to make a difference. Thankfully for Newcastle Gordon fits into this category.”
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