Anthony Gordon has pulled no punches in his response to high-profile critics Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer, and Roy Keane, blasting their comments as “utter stupidity” following scrutiny over his final weeks at Newcastle United. The 25-year-old winger, who completed a move to Barcelona for around £70million, insisted the punditry trio “need to do better” after they questioned his commitment when he was named on the bench for a crucial Champions League round of 16 first leg against his current club. Gordon made it clear that baseless claims surrounding his desire to play were complete nonsense, setting the record straight on the circumstances that defined his departure from St James’ Park.
The controversy stemmed from a European night where Newcastle were ultimately denied a famous victory by a stoppage-time Lamine Yamal penalty. Gordon had spent three days confined to bed with illness leading up to the match, yet remained eager to feature from the opening whistle. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe made the executive call to protect the forward, starting him on the bench before sending him on in the 67th minute to replace William Osula. Despite Howe publicly confirming that the decision rested entirely with the coaching staff, commentators and certain sections of the fanbase rushed to accuse Gordon of choosing not to play.
It wasn’t the first time Gordon found himself targeted by outlandish theories. The former Newcastle star pointed out the absurdity of previous claims, including a bizarre narrative that a red card he received against Brighton in the FA Cup was deliberately calculated to miss a fixture against Liverpool ahead of a potential summer transfer to Anfield. Gordon condemned the eagerness of critics to believe negative stories, emphasizing that players who repeatedly deliver league placings, cup final appearances, Champions League qualification, and silverware deserve the benefit of the doubt rather than unfair condemnation.
Howe stoutly defended his winger’s professionalism during that period. At the time, Newcastle were navigating squad availability issues, missing pivotal midfield figures Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Miley. Guimaraes, working relentlessly on his recovery, was so determined to assist the group that he planned to travel to Barcelona purely to offer moral support from the stands during the second leg as Newcastle chased a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. Howe praised Gordon’s willingness to push through illness, confirming the Liverpudlian trained ahead of the tie and remained desperate to contribute.
Gordon’s eventual departure to Barcelona for a fee between £69million and £70million complicated Newcastle’s summer strategy, forcing Howe to evaluate direct replacements on the left flank. While Harvey Barnes stepped up to compete for the position, Newcastle also explored a move for Real Betis ace Abde Ezzalzouli, a confident winger boasting 41 goals and 27 assists across 219 senior appearances. Now established in Spain, Gordon’s candid reflections on his former manager and the unjust noise surrounding his final matches in England highlight the intense scrutiny surrounding modern stars.
