Twenty-five minutes to make an impact
Anthony Gordon came on in the 65th minute on Sunday at Elche. Five minutes later he had two assists. The first arrived off his very first touch, teed up for Raphinha. The second went to Fermin Lopez, from a position where plenty of 80 million euro signings would have shot.
Barca won 5-0. The new Blaugrana No. 17 did not need a goal of his own to get noticed.
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An 80 million transfer under pressure
The England winger landed in Catalonia this summer for 80 million euros, a fee that puts a player under the microscope from day one. He arrived with a case, mind you. At 25 he was coming off a full season at Newcastle with 17 goals in all competitions, a serious return for a wide man, and he had started for England at the last World Cup.
The competition in Catalonia is no joke. Raphinha and Karim Adeyemi work the same channels. After a handful of decent pre-season cameos, Gordon started on the bench against the promoted side. Hansi Flick gave him the closing stages instead. He made them count.
“A perfect start”
The former Everton and Newcastle man was in good spirits at full time. “It was a great performance, a perfect start: five goals scored and none conceded. I’m very happy. We also played some beautiful football and scored some fantastic goals. The defenders were excellent right to the very end,” he said.
He talked up how quickly he has settled, too. “My start has been a real dream. Barcelona and the city are incredible! The people are so friendly and everyone in the squad has made me feel very welcome. I already feel at home.”
Twenty-five minutes do not make a season. They can change how a dressing room reads an 80 million euro signing, though, and the next job is turning that into a starting shirt rather than a useful option off the bench.
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