Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon made his Euro 2024 debut on Tuesday night, but it was an appearance that begged more questions than answers for Gary Lineker.
The 23-year-old had been an unused substitute in England’s opening two games, leading to pundits calling on Gareth Southgate to give Anthony Gordon a chance.
He did exactly that against Slovenia, with the Newcastle United winger coming on in the 89th minute. He replaced Phil Foden for the last five minutes, and was able to have quite the impact despite not having long to make his mark.
During his cameo, Gordon offered England real width, which they have lacked all tournament. He also managed to help create two chances, on a night when openings were few and far between.
Gary Lineker finds Anthony Gordon decision ‘baffling’
It was great to see Gordon do well on his first appearance at Euro 2024, but it was almost a case of too little too late.
That is the view of pundit Gary Lineker, who has admitted on The Rest Is Football podcast that he was baffled by how late Gordon was brought on.
“I thought we were still unbalanced on the left,” he said.
“No question about that. And I thought it was a little baffling that he waited so long for Anthony Gordon to come on.
“Because I think Foden was playing there, but then he was switching to Bellingham. And I don’t think that really helped either of them in a way, because they were neither here nor there. What I did see in the second half, which is, I’m trying to put the positive spin on it.
“What I did see in the second half was energy. And I haven’t seen energy apart from the first half and hour of the first game in the other performances.”
Newcastle United winger should have came on much earlier for England
As Lineker says, it was baffling that Gordon only got five minutes to prove himself. But he managed to do exactly that, and it should hopefully lead to him featuring more in England’s next game.
Against Slovenia, Southgate started Foden on the left again, while he also had Jude Bellingham operating on that flank in the second half. They are completely wasted out there, while it means Gordon does not get to play.
There was an immediate injection of speed and direction when Gordon came on, and it is just a shame it did not happen sooner. Southgate could have made the sub five minutes earlier when he brought Trent Alexander-Arnold on, yet unfathomably waited until the 89th minute.
It was a really surprising decision, but one that ultimately did not cost England. The draw moved them on to five points, and Denmark’s failure to win ensured that the Three Lions finished top of Group C.
Other results have also meant that England are on what looks like the ‘easier’ side of the draw, meaning they have a chance to go deep into the competition. However, that will not happen unless the Three Lions start to play better.
That might be possible if the likes of Gordon and Cole Palmer come into the team, but it remains to be seen if Southgate will be that brave when England compete in the round of 16.
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