Anthony Gordon makes himself undroppable as England hierarchy takes shape

Anthony Gordon is rapidly becoming one of England’s most important players after another decisive performance for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

The Barcelona winger scored the opener in England’s 2-0 Nations League victory over the Czech Republic on Tuesday, having also found the net in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against world champions Spain.

Those performances continue an excellent international run that stretches back to the World Cup knockout stages.

Gordon now has three goals and three assists across his last six England appearances. He also won the penalty in the dramatic last-16 victory over Mexico.

Harry Kane believes the 25-year-old is becoming one of England’s “main men”, while Tuchel has made it clear Gordon is increasingly difficult to leave out.

England have searched for a reliable solution on the left side of their attack for several years.

Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke have all been used there, but Gordon increasingly appears to have made the position his own.

“He’s getting there,” Tuchel said when asked whether Gordon was becoming one of the first names on his team-sheet.

“He’s defending his shirt, he’s defending his position.”

Tuchel highlighted Gordon’s decisive contributions against both Spain and the Czech Republic, describing him as a “very important player”.

The numbers reinforce that assessment.

Since the beginning of England’s World Cup knockout campaign, Gordon ranks among the team’s top four players for expected goals, expected assists, touches in the opposition penalty area, passes into the box, chances created and shots on target.

His six combined goals and assists during that period are also level with Jude Bellingham.

Gordon’s £69m summer transfer from Newcastle United to Barcelona has coincided with another development in his game.

He already has five La Liga assists and believes playing for Barcelona is changing perceptions about what he offers.

Gordon feels that in England he was primarily recognised for his speed, pressing and aggression rather than his technical ability and football intelligence.

“I think now I’m at Barcelona and I play a different style, those qualities are highlighted much more,” he told ITV.

That development is increasingly visible for England too.

Against the Czech Republic, Gordon attempted four shots – more than any other England player – while also combining effectively with former Newcastle teammate Lewis Hall and Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Kane believes Gordon has demonstrated that he belongs at the highest level for both club and country.

“His performances in the last couple of games have been some of his best that he has played in an England shirt,” the England captain said.

Kane added that Gordon is now relishing the responsibility of being “one of the main men in the team”.

That represents a significant transformation.

Only last October, Gordon admitted England supporters had seen around “50%” of what he could produce internationally.

Less than a year later, Tuchel appears increasingly convinced he has found his first-choice left winger.

England’s immediate objective is success in the Nations League, but Tuchel is also constructing the side he hopes can challenge for Euro 2028.

Gordon now looks increasingly central to those plans.

Competition for attacking places will remain intense, particularly with players such as Rashford, Foden, Eze and Madueke available, but Gordon has something particularly valuable on his side: consistent end product.

His Barcelona performances will therefore be watched closely between international windows. If his development in Spain continues alongside his current England form, the question may soon stop being whether Gordon starts for England and become who plays alongside him.