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Anthony Gordon believes England must abandon any attempt to mimic Spain’s possession game and instead lean into the qualities that define English football. The Newcastle export, now plying his trade at Barcelona, argues that copying a foreign style has held the Three Lions back from ending their six-decade wait for a second major trophy.
England finished third at this summer’s World Cup, a respectable outcome on paper but one overshadowed by a chaotic second-half collapse against Argentina in the semi-final. That defeat reignited an old argument about England’s inability to control matches against elite opposition. Manager Thomas Tuchel has since suggested he may need to “embrace the chaos” of a more direct approach ahead of Euro 2028 rather than force a passing identity that doesn’t suit his squad.
Gordon’s move to Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth up to €80 million came just before the tournament kicked off. His short time inside Spanish football has sharpened his view that England’s obsession with replicating La Roja’s style is misguided.
“I think culturally, it’s not just that tournament or that Argentina game where we couldn’t control a game. England as a nation, we don’t have that strength like the Spanish, where we control games like they do,” he said. “It’s not in us. I’m not sure it’s something that can be taught, because now, playing in Spain, I can speak with an educated view on the way they keep the ball. It’s much different than I’ve ever experienced playing in this country.”
The winger stopped short of dismissing the possibility of improvement but insisted England’s identity should be built around its own strengths rather than imported ideals.
“So, I’m not sure we can ever get that, but we can definitely get better, or maybe go the other way and really play to our strengths, which is play physical, play direct football, and on the counterattack. You can go either way, and there’s no perfect way to win a football match. It’ll be interesting to see what we do.”
He continued to unpack the comparison, pointing out that mirroring Spain ignores the qualities English players already possess.
“I’m speaking from a point of view where I feel like we are trying to replicate Spain because I’m in Spain now. I know we’ve got just as good players, but they have different qualities. So why try and make them the same players as the Spanish players? Because the Spanish players lack the things that we have, and vice versa.”
Gordon was careful not to overstep into tactical territory reserved for the coaching staff, but his message was clear: England should stop measuring itself against continental rivals.
“I don’t want to speak because I’m not the manager, so I’m not going to control the tactics or how we play, but I think we need to stop looking elsewhere as a country, and maybe be proud of who we are, what we are, the things we have, and stop comparing with other countries because we’re English. We’re not Spanish or French or other countries who have succeeded.”
A Painful Collapse Against Argentina
Gordon himself put England ahead in the 55th minute against Argentina, only to watch the lead evaporate as his side sat back and conceded twice late on. Lautaro Martínez struck a stoppage-time winner to hand Argentina a 2-1 victory. Between the two Argentina goals, England managed just 12 per cent possession, a statistic that fueled criticism of Tuchel’s decision to shift to a back five and make a series of cautious substitutions in Atlanta.
Gordon was the first player withdrawn, coming off in the 72nd minute despite having just scored. He admitted the timing caught him off guard.
“Yeah, I was, being totally honest. Only because I’d just scored, so I’m the type of player that, I’ve said before, I’m really good when I play off adrenaline. When I score, I normally don’t have many bad games because I get into an untouchable mode of confidence. It makes me feel on top of the world. Especially in that moment, on that stage, I felt really good. But as a winger, to be honest, I come off most games. It’s normal. It’s usually the position that is targeted first for substitutions because the players on the bench in your position are usually quick and really good as well.”
A Scar That Won’t Fully Heal
England salvaged some pride by beating France 6-4 to claim third place and secure hosting duties for the next European Championship. Gordon suggested the sting of losing to Argentina may never fully disappear.
“Being totally honest, I think any time you lose anything of value in life, whether it be a person or something like a match or anything you really want to have or win or anything of large value, I think when you lose, you’ll never be the same person. It leaves a scar, but that scar doesn’t always have to be a negative one. You can be a better person for it.”
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