Anthony Gordon has already sealed a dream summer transfer to Barcelona, but his focus remains fixed on driving England to World Cup glory. The winger, whose tough upbringing in a poor area of Liverpool forged his relentless mentality, has turned a slow start to the tournament into a personal resurgence – and now stands on the brink of a quarter-final clash with Norway.
Gordon admits his tournament began with disappointment before a ball was kicked: Marcus Rashford was handed the No.11 shirt, leaving Gordon with No.18. 'I wanted number 11,' he said. 'But when I got number 18, I texted my agent and said it's actually a good thing because I get to put right in that number – because in the Euros I was number 18 and I felt like it was a waste of a summer for me.'
“Anthony Gordon, who sealed a Barcelona move, drives England's World Cup dream after a slow start.”
That summer at Euro 2024, where he made just one substitute appearance, haunted him. But he resolved to make this World Cup different. After two quiet games – 'the first two games didn't go how I dreamt of starting in a World Cup at all' – he exploded as a super-sub against DR Congo with two assists, then delivered a brilliant display against Mexico. 'I wasn't playing to my individual strength,' he said. 'When I got the chance against Congo I just thought to myself, I'm going to do the things that got me here – and it paid off.'
Gordon credits his upbringing for his resilience. 'I am from a very poor area, a very poor background, just a normal family and I have obviously made the journey to this level. I want to keep doing that. The reason I'll always do well is because my mentality towards disappointment is very good. I always react to disappointments well.'
England's brotherhood bond, forged through the tournament, is driving their dream. Having conquered the Azteca with victory over Mexico, they now face Norway – the Vikings – in a huge quarter-final. Gordon's time feels like it has finally arrived. As he put it, 'You chase elite success to see who you can become along the way.' For England, that journey now has a new protagonist.