Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Englandvs.Slovakia

sportsmole.co.uk, 28 June 2024, 16:35
Anthony Gordon has staked his claim to start for England in Sunday's Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Slovakia, stating that he is a 'nightmare for anyone he plays against'.

The 23-year-old was handed his senior international debut in March this year and his form at Newcastle United was rewarded with a call-up to Gareth Southgate's final 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in Germany.

Gordon was named Newcastle's Player of the Season for 2023-24 after scoring 12 goals and registering 11 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.

The winger has since had to bide his time at Euro 2024, and after watching on as an unused substitute in England's first two Group C matches, he came on in the 89th minute for his first outing of the tournament in a drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia on Tuesday.

There have been calls from many supporters and pundits for Gordon to be handed a start on the left side of England's attack against Slovakia, potentially replacing Phil Foden who has just returned to the first-team camp after attending the birth of his third child in the UK.

Gordon hopes to give Southgate selection headache

Gordon believes that he would add a "different element" to an England attack that has scored just two goals in three group games.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Gordon said: "My main strengths are I'm direct, I'm quick, so I know I'm a nightmare for anyone I play against. Every time I get the ball, I try and make something happen.

"I'm not a very safe player, I'm always going for it and trying to put people on the back foot. With the players we've got like H [Harry Kane] who like to drop deep, I think I add a different element to the team."

Asked if he expects to start against Slovakia, Gordon added: "It's out of my control. I can only control what I can control. And that's giving my best every day and causing as problems for him [England manager Gareth Southgate] in terms of selections as I possibly can. When or if I'm needed, I'll be more than ready.

"I will always be ready. I will control what I do, that's what I can do every day. And I try and push the lads who are playing as best as I can when I train. When I come on, I'm trying to stay on and not come off. I'm playing to play the next game, that's my mindset.

"It [my direct style] brings a sense of unpredictability, I win a lot of fouls and it can put teams on the back foot. That's just the way I play football.

"That works for me, that's how I feel best [when] playing. I know how hard I am to play against, I can feel it, I know that people don't like playing against me. It's worked for me and I will carry on doing it."

Gordon comments on freak bike accident

Gordon has been training with his teammates throughout this week, but he gave Three Lions fans a fright when he suffered a heavy fall following a high-speed electric bike accident.

Seen with grazes on his chin, arms and hands, Gordon said: "I was going down the hill and tried to take a picture for my family and before I knew it I was face first into the floor. It's only few cuts, it's not anything painful.

"The front brake is on the left-hand side and I tried to press the right one to slow down - and it didn't slow down, it came to a full stop. I've gone 10 feet in the air, chin first.

"I just carried on and finished the bike ride. When I got back to camp, I had to put stuff on it, which absolutely stung. To be fair, no-one saw me thankfully."

Gordon is fit to feature on Saturday, but it remains to be seen whether left-back Luke Shaw - who has not played since February due to a muscle injury - will be ready to be involved against Slovakia, with Southgate expected to deliver an update at a press conference on Saturday.

Show more

Top News

23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz will supposedly 'not hesitate' to leave Anfield if one particular club makes a firm move for him in the summer transfer window. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are hoping to offload under-performing goalkeeper Andre Onana to one of the financial powerhouses of Saudi Arabia this summer, according to a report. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Georgia vs. Armenia (Sunday, 2.00pm) Battling for a place in League B of the UEFA Nations League, Georgia are set to host Armenia at the Boris Paichadze Stadium for the second leg of their playoff on Sunday. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are said to be locked in a battle for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato with the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly decided to target Stuttgart midfielder Enzo Millot in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Peru can leapfrog Venezuela for eighth in CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 qualifying on Tuesday when they travel to Estadio Monumental de Maturin on matchday 14. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly reluctant to extend Diogo Jota's deal at Anfield and are said to be growing increasingly frustrated by the forward. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo has told Rasmus Hojlund he aims to celebrate in front of the Denmark striker in Sunday's crunch Nations League tie. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has received a boost as Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha's ban has been extended to four games, meaning he will miss his side's next two fixtures. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Everton Women star Rikke Madsen won't forget her team's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace any time soon. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo is the most lethal goalscorer in history - but Lionel Messi edges him in the never-ending 'greatest of all time' debate. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool may have one hand firmly on the Premier League trophy, but more recent matches have shown that the Reds board cannot rest on their laurels during the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After a disappointing start to World Cup qualifying, Romania will look to get their campaign up and running when they visit Serravalle to face minnows San Marino on Monday night. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two nations who made the perfect start to World Cup qualifying meet in Zenica on Monday night when Bosnia-Herzegovina host Cyprus. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among three Premier League teams to have taken an interest in signing Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly received a significant boost in their efforts to sign Rayan Cherki, whom Lyon have decided to sell in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reportedly made a final decision on whether he plans to re-integrate Marcus Rashford into his squad this summer. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Manchester United have been told to seek wisdom from darts sensation Luke Littler over how to handle high-pressure situations. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Peter Crouch has scored his first goals for Liverpool in nearly 17 years and he made sure to celebrate accordingly. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's reported capacity to purchase a new striker in the summer transfer window is in excess of £100m due to their good financial health. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will have a special Carabao Cup trophy parade next weekend after ending 70 years of hurt. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Newcastle United will finally get their trophy-winning party in front the Toon Army. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are set to be active during this summer's transfer window, as the recently-appointed Ruben Amorim looks to bring in players capable of thriving in his 3-4-3 system. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate reportedly has no release clause in his current contract amidst interest from Real Madrid in his signature. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are facing a centre-back crisis for their La Liga match against Osasuna next week, with Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen potentially all missing the rescheduled fixture. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Another consolation silver medal is waiting for Arsenal at the 2024-25 Premier League finish line, as Mikel Arteta and co bemoan injuries, suspensions and fatal - yet avoidable - transfer mistakes. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly begun initial talks with Napoli over the possible transfer of Rasmus Hojlund to the Serie A club in the summer transfer window. 22 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are expected to move for at least one central midfielder during this summer's transfer window. 22 March 2025 talksport.com Twelve years may have passed, but Franck Ribery is still not over his 2013 Ballon d'Or snub.