Anthony Gordon has urged England to stop trying to imitate Spain and instead build their game around the qualities that come naturally to English players.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Nations League meeting with Spain at Wembley, Gordon backed manager Thomas Tuchel’s view that controlling matches through long spells of possession is not part of England’s traditional footballing identity.

“Culturally, it’s not just that tournament or that game where we couldn’t control a game,” Gordon said. “As a nation we don’t have that strength like the Spanish, where we control games like they do. It’s not in us. I’m not sure it’s something that can be taught.”

The Barcelona winger said his experience playing in Spain had given him a closer understanding of the difference between the two football cultures. He argued that England should not try to mould its players into Spanish-style technicians when the two nations possess different strengths.

“We can’t keep looking at other countries and trying to be like them, because we’re not them — we’re English and we have our own strengths which they don’t have,” Gordon said. “Maybe we start playing the way we’re good at.”

Gordon suggested that England could benefit from a more physical and direct approach, using pace in transition and counterattacking situations rather than attempting to dominate every match through possession.

“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,” he said.

His comments follow England’s 2–1 defeat by Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-final. Gordon scored England’s opening goal and had started five matches during the tournament, contributing four assists, but he was substituted 17 minutes after scoring as Argentina turned the game around. England later defeated France 6–4 in the third-place play-off.

Gordon said the disappointment could ultimately help England rather than damage them.

“The scar doesn’t have to be a negative one because it might lead us to victory in the next tournaments,” he said.

England face Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, in their opening UEFA Nations League fixture. The match will provide an immediate test of whether England can impose their own strengths against the reigning European and world champions.