Barça boss Deco explains why Anthony Gordon outshines Rashford
Barça‑sport director Deco said that Anthony Gordon, signed in the summer, was the clearly better option for Hansi Flick's team than Marcus Rashford, who after a season with 14 goals and eleven assists returned to his parent club Manchester United and won La Liga as well as the Copa del Rey.
Rashford's season at Barcelona
In the 2025/26 season, Rashford scored 14 goals and 11 assists for FC Barcelona in all competitions and contributed significantly to winning the Spanish league title and the cup. His performances made him the club's most important attacker.
At the end of his one‑year loan, Barcelona faced the decision to trigger the purchase option for the 28‑year‑old at a set price of only €35 million. Instead, the club chose the more expensive English international Anthony Gordon.
Gordon's immediate impact and basis for the decision
The 25‑year‑old Gordon moved for around €80 million including bonuses to the Catalan club and made an immediate impact: in five games he recorded five assists and contributed to an unbeaten start to the 2026/27 season.
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"We are extremely grateful to Rashford," Deco told the Catalan radio station RAC1 and emphasized that Gordon's stylistic fit gives the attack more intensity. "His style matches what the coach is looking for."
Deco added that Rashford had contributed a lot last season, but the club's playing idea was more closely linked to Anthony Gordon. "With Gordon we saw that he was one of the players we needed."
"When Raphinha was not on the pitch, the team lost energy, and with him [Gordon] we could solve this problem," Deco added. The big advantage is that the player wants to come and can put pressure on Newcastle to force the transfer.
"We had a clear idea of what we were looking for. We needed more intensity. We analyzed many wingers. Signing someone from the Premier League is almost impossible, but Flick had clear ideas, and based on that we worked on a deal," Deco summed up the decision‑making.