Harry Kane explains Anthony Gordon impact after Barcelona move

Harry Kane believes Anthony Gordon’s £69 million move to Barcelona has given the England winger greater confidence, with his international form continuing during Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic.

Gordon opened the scoring in Prague with a stooping header before Kane added England’s second, taking his record international tally to 87 goals.

For Gordon, it was a third goal in three England appearances and his fourth in 25 caps. His recent impact has gone beyond his finishing, with his pace and repeated runs behind opposition defences making him one of Thomas Tuchel’s most dangerous attacking players.

Kane believes the 25-year-old’s summer switch from Newcastle United to Barcelona has contributed to that progress.

“The move to Barcelona has helped him,” Kane said.

“Sometimes going to a big club like that gives you more self-belief, more confidence. You feel like you belong on the biggest stage and he’s taken that into his England performances.”

Gordon had already impressed for England at the World Cup, scoring against Argentina in the semi-final defeat. He has since found another level of consistency, including a goal against world champions Spain at Wembley before striking again against the Czech Republic.

Kane described Gordon as England’s “difference maker” in Prague.

“Always looking to be direct and be the one to get us ahead and a great finish from him as well,” the England captain said. “Those finishes are not easy and he took it really well. He’s an important player for us right now.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold also made an important contribution on his return to England’s starting XI, producing the cross for Gordon’s opener.

It was his first start under Tuchel and provided another reminder of the creativity he can offer from right-back following his 2025 move from Liverpool to Real Madrid.

“Trent’s outstanding,” Kane said. “The delivery, passing range, crossing but also defensively he was outstanding.”

Kane also praised Alexander-Arnold’s attitude during the international camp, saying the defender has demonstrated to Tuchel that he wants to establish himself in the team.

With Gordon producing consistently from the left and Alexander-Arnold supplying creativity from deeper positions, Tuchel has been given further encouragement over two potentially important components of his England side.

Gordon’s immediate challenge is to maintain the level that has made him such an influential attacking option for Tuchel.

His Barcelona move appears to have strengthened his confidence rather than disrupted his international momentum, and three consecutive scoring appearances have increased the competition for attacking places.

Alexander-Arnold also has an opportunity to build on his return to the starting XI. After making his first start under Tuchel and creating Gordon’s goal, further strong performances could strengthen his claim to a regular role as England’s preparations for their next major fixtures continue.