It is great to prove the doubters wrong, and Micah Richards believes one Newcastle United player has done exactly that.
The Magpies have endured a tough campaign, but there has certainly been a lot to celebrate. We have been excellent offensively, scoring a lot of goals in the process. Newcastle United have scored 74 times in the Premier League so far, with only Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool scoring more.
A lot of Newcastle’s goals have came from Alexander Isak, who is on fire right now. He scored another two on Saturday against Sheffield United, taking his tally in all competitions to 23. It is the best season of his career.
Given how well he is playing right now, many will suggest that he should be Newcastle United’s player of the season. However, there is certainly one man who deserves it more than the super Swede.
23-year-old Newcastle star is our player of the season
If you were to ask me right now who Newcastle United’s player of the season should be, I would give it to Anthony Gordon.
The 23-year-old has been the Magpies’ most impactful player for the entire campaign, and has not missed a single game due to injury. Not only has he always been available but he has always been a difference maker.
It has been a breakthrough year for Gordon, who did not hit the ground running after his £45million move from Everton in January 2023.
It has taken him a bit of time to prove why Newcastle United wanted to spend so much money on him, while it is also now evident why Chelsea desperately tried to sign him six months earlier than the Magpies.
Chelsea wanted to buy Anthony Gordon in the summer of 2022
Gordon emerged as a Newcastle target in the summer of 2022, but it was Chelsea who appeared to want him the most.
There were even claims that the Blues were willing to pay £60million for the youngster, which seemed absolutely crazy at the time.
The fact that Chelsea even considered spending that much on him was laughable, yet now he is worth that and more.
Micah Richards blown away by how much Gordon has improved
That is a testament to how well he has done since joining Newcastle United, and Micah Richards has reflected on his journey alongside Alan Shearer on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.
Richards: “How good is Gordon, though, Alan? Seriously.”
Shearer: “Yeah, brilliant.”
Richards: “Remember when he was linked to Chelsea before he went to Newcastle and everyone was laughing at him. And now, he is so consistent it’s ridiculous. Whether he is getting assists from crosses, whether he is taking on his man, whether he is defending for the team, and I know you put him in your England team moving forward for the Euros, but honestly, I wouldn’t disagree with you now. He can do absolutely everything. The improvement since the 21s when they won it, was it last summer, has just been enormous. What a player he has turned out to be!”
Gordon has proved people wrong since joining Newcastle
As Richards says, a lot of people laughed when Gordon was valued so highly. There were even major doubts when he moved to St James’ Park.
But the Magpies were buying potential, and Gordon is realising it under Eddie Howe. The Newcastle boss has taken Gordon’s game to new heights, and he has been one of the best players in the entire Premier League this season.
That is reflected by his numbers, with Gordon scoring 10 times and providing nine assists.
He is suddenly much more ruthless and impactful, while his work ethic is also relentless. Combine those factors with his versatility, and it is easy to see why Richards believes that Gordon should be in this summer’s England squad for the Euros.
The post 'Everyone was laughing at him': Micah Richards says 23-year-old Newcastle star has proven people totally wrong appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.
