Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon hopes his versatility might be a major factor working in his favour when Gareth Southgate names his England squad for Euro 2024.
Gordon has enjoyed an impressive first full campaign at St James’ Park, scoring 10 goals and adding eight assists in 30 Premier League appearances as Newcastle chase a top-six finish.
Having helped England win the Under-21 European Championships last year, Gordon was handed his first call-up to the Three Lions’ senior squad in March.
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He started England’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil at Wembley Stadium before coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw against Belgium three days later, heightening speculation that he will go to the Euros.
Speaking to Gary Neville in an appearance on The Overlap, Gordon – who has played on both wings and as a central striker this season – said his versatility might aid his cause.
“Versatility in tournaments is massive,” Gordon said. “The others [Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish] can play across the front line or in midfield, but I feel that I’ve done it a lot this season especially in big games, and I think that matters.
“I’ve played out of position in big games and done well, so I think that matters. Playing as a centre-forward or on the right is out of position for me, the left is probably my main position.
“I’ve played number 10 at times, and I’ve proven in big games that no matter where I play, I can still perform, and having that trust from the manager and the players around me, I think is a massive thing.”
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Following complaints from several coaches, UEFA is set to increase squad sizes for this summer’s tournament from 23 players to 26, with an official announcement expected later this week.
That could further boost Gordon’s hopes of travelling to Germany, and the 23-year-old says he felt at home when first joining up with Southgate’s squad last month.
“I felt so comfortable there, and when I got there I thought, ‘this is my level’,” Gordon said. “You have to earn respect, football is an opinion-based sport and nobody will respect you if you don’t earn it.
“I knew I would do well on the pitch, but off the pitch, I was nervous, but the culture they’ve managed to create is so impressive; me, Kobbie [Mainoo] and Jarrod [Bowen] all said the same thing.”
The deadline for Southgate to name his final squad for the Euros is June 7, though he is due to select a preliminary squad on May 21, ahead of pre-tournament friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland.
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