Gordon must prove Barcelona worth against Europe’s elite in November

Under the floodlights of Wembley on Thursday, 12 November, Barcelona’s new signing Anthony Gordon will aim to extend his remarkable England scoring run as the Three Lions face Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.

He has registered a goal or assist in each of his last seven England appearances, giving manager Thomas Tuchel a strong reason to rely on him during the November international break. His club form, however, tells a slightly different story.

Club contributions and challenges

Since arriving from Newcastle United in the summer, Gordon has contributed three goals and five assists across competitions, yet translating that productivity against Europe’s strongest opponents remains a challenge. His England performances contrast with his Barcelona form, with his consistency for the Three Lions an encouraging sign of recent development. For England, his direct running, chance creation and work in the final third were the attributes that convinced Barcelona to invest in him.

Gordon knows he has a point to prove in the upcoming internationals. The fixtures against Croatia and Spain offer further chances to maintain his momentum. These matches will give him an opportunity to return to Barcelona with confidence after a demanding international assignment.

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At Barcelona, the 25‑year‑old has gradually earned a place in Xavi Flick’s starting XI, edging fellow summer signing Karim Adeyemi in the race for an attacking spot. He has scored against Galatasaray, Getafe and Alaves, but his displays versus Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint‑Germain have not consistently reflected his potential. Since his goal against Galatasaray on 13 October, he has managed only one goal in his subsequent six Barcelona appearances.

Gordon is yet to score against an elite opponent for Barcelona. That highlights the gap between settling into a new team and becoming decisive in its biggest matches. While his pace and directness are valuable, Barcelona need those qualities to translate into consistent end product against elite opposition.

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Flick remains confident in Gordon’s long‑term potential and says the club is satisfied with his progress, not worrying that his statistics do not yet match his international influence. Adapting to Flick’s possession‑oriented system demands more than individual attacking ability; Gordon must improve his understanding of combinations, positioning and decision‑making. His international performances provide encouragement, but the next step is reproducing that influence regularly in a Barcelona shirt, especially against top opponents.