The traditional photograph with the Joan Gamper Trophy usually belongs to the captains and the club’s biggest names. On Tuesday it belonged to the new boys. Karim Adeyemi held one side of the trophy, and on the other stood a 25-year-old Englishman a week into the biggest move of his career. The first days of Anthony Gordon Barcelona life have been a blur of new faces — and, by his own account, a very warm one.
Speaking to the club’s media after the photocall, Gordon reflected on his first week as a Barca player, why he chose the move and what he wants from Wednesday night. “My first week as a Barca player has been incredible,” he said, in quotes carried by Barca Universal. “It’s a new city, a new country, obviously new teammates, new staff… but it’s been an incredible experience. Everyone has made me feel very welcome.”
The Anthony Gordon Barcelona decision came down to Flick
The interesting part is the reason he gives. Gordon does not lead with the badge, the city or the history — the answers a new signing normally reaches for. He leads with the coach. “I was already familiar with the manager’s philosophy, which is why I wanted to come here — because I like this style of play,” he said.
That is a more specific pitch than it sounds. Hansi Flick’s wingers are asked to hold the touchline and stretch back fours until there is space to attack, then work back the other way the moment possession is lost. Gordon’s game — straight-line pace, a willingness to run at defenders, genuine effort out of possession — reads like a player who has watched that system and recognised himself in it. He arrived from Newcastle United this summer for a reported €70 million plus €10m in add-ons, and it is worth noting the deal was not a panic buy: he has been back in training with the group since early August.
A Camp Nou debut, and a target
What Gordon has not done yet is play in front of the Blaugrana at home. That comes on Wednesday, in the 61st edition of the Gamper against Al Ahly, and the anticipation in his answers is unmissable. “I’m really excited to see the stadium, pull on the Barca shirt and be with the fans,” he said.
He is not treating it as a ceremonial introduction, though. Asked what he wanted from the night, the winger set himself something concrete: “I hope to score a goal and win the match.” He also took a moment to thank supporters directly for the reception he has been given since the transfer was completed.
Whether he starts is a separate question. Flick has options on both flanks, and Adeyemi has been talked up as the man in possession for the LaLiga opener at Elche as part of a left-footed front three. Squad matters have moved quickly around the pair, too: the manager has just named Raphinha, Eric Garcia and Pedri as his provisional captains, and Rodri and Joao Cancelo are being added to the group this week.
The bigger test starts later
None of the above is the measure of Gordon’s season. A friendly at the Spotify Camp Nou, in the club’s first full campaign back home, is the gentlest possible introduction; the harder version arrives when the goals dry up and a full Camp Nou wants an explanation. But the answer he gave about Flick’s football is the encouraging bit. Players who join Barca because they want to be at Barca sometimes struggle to work out what the job actually is. Gordon seems to have signed up for a specific role, played a specific way. On Wednesday he finally gets to try it in front of the people who will judge it.
