Anthony Gordon believes he can be England’s spark at Euro 2024 and said he is ready to give Slovakia’s defenders a hard time if called upon for Sunday’s last-16 tie in Gelsenkirchen.
The winger has been left battered and bruised, however, after coming off his electric bike while taking part in a recovery ride at England’s Blankenhain base on Wednesday, the day after the dour goalless draw with Slovenia.
The incident left the Newcastle United player with a nasty graze on his chin as well as cuts to his hands and arms, but otherwise he escaped with little more than damaged pride.
“It was a lovely day, I was going down a hill, trying to take a quick video for my family, just to show them what I was doing,” he explained. “Before I knew it, I was head first into the floor. I’ve got a few grazes, a few cuts but it’s not anything painful.
“They are electric [bikes] so they are faster than a normal bike. In England, the front brake is on the right-hand side. Here, I tried to press the left just to slow down and next minute it has not slowed down, it has fully come to a stop…and I haven’t. I have gone ten feet in the air, chin first.”
Gordon revealed that he got little sympathy from manager Gareth Southgate, whose first reaction to the incident was laughter, and admitted he has quickly become the butt of all jokes within the national team’s camp.
“The thing was, because I was on my phone I didn’t know I was falling off until I hit the floor,” he added. “I was just focused on my phone and I went chin first.
“I think the moral of the story is that we spend too much time on our phones these days. The moral of the story is to just enjoy the moment without a phone.”
'My strength is I am very direct'
The 23-year-old was an unused substitute during England’s first two group games before coming off the bench for his major tournament debut in the 89th minute against Slovenia.
England’s lack of incision when facing compact teams so far this tournament has increased the calls for him, and Cole Palmer, to be thrown into the starting lineup for the first knockout match this weekend.
“My main strengths are I am very direct,” Gordon said when asked what he would bring to the side. “I’m obviously quick. I know I am a nightmare for anyone that I play against.
“I’m positive. Every time I get the ball, I always try to make something happen. I’m not a very safe player, I am always going for it. I am always trying to put people on the back foot.
“With players we have got — the likes of H [Harry Kane], who likes to drop deep — I think I add a different element to the team.”
Gordon quickly endeared himself to Newcastle supporters with his whole-hearted approach to attacking and that kind of penetration has been missing from the forward line that Southgate has lined up so far in Germany.
Phil Foden has started England’s first three games on the left-wing but, having only returned to training on Friday after flying back to the UK on Wednesday for the birth of his third child, the Manchester City forward may see his spot under threat.
“I just like to give my best and like I said before, control the controllables,” Gordon said.
“I think if I train to the very best of my ability, and do the best I can every day, that’s my way of giving [Southgate] a headache in terms of selection. The rest I can’t control.”
