Eddie Howe now has an abundance of attacking riches at his Newcastle United disposal. Signing Anthony Gordon for £45million only added to the conundrum he has faced in recent weeks.
Record signing Alexander Isak and fans’ favourite Allan Saint-Maximin have been restricted to cameos from the bench since the World Cup break. Joelinton, not a natural winger by trade, has played wide left, with Miguel Almiron on the opposite flank and Callum Wilson leading the line.
Gordon’s arrival provides another option when assessing his options and, before looking at the stats, he appears tailor-made for Howe. The Toon boss has always asserted that his deepest love in management comes on the training field, developing players to improve their game.
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At 21, the former Everton man has plenty of time for Howe to craft him in his image. An average goal return, with three in 16 appearances this season, leaves plenty of foundations to build upon. But Gordon’s intensity is what would have wooed Howe.
Using data from last season, the winger averaged 3.92 interceptions per game - the fourth highest in his position across the Premier League. Gordon was also involved in 7.8 defensive duels per 90 minutes, placing him second behind Leicester City’s Marc Albrighton. Noticeably, Almiron ranked third out of the widemen… a possible hint at how Newcastle will line up?
From an attacking sense, the United new boy made 6.1 dribbles per 90 minutes last season, at a 64 percent success rate. This placed him third in the division behind Callum Hudson-Odoi and another Howe prodigy, Ryan Fraser.
Tenaciousness fits the profile of what the Magpies’ boss demands from a winger. His versatility, too, is also a bonus, with Gordon capable of playing on either flank.
Saint-Maximin, for all his natural ability, does not guarantee the same defensive work rate. To his credit, the Frenchman may have spent considerable time on the treatment table but just two tackles all season is hardly going to appease his manager.
Gordon is very much a work in progress and could take time to fulfil the expectations of his hefty price tag. It may be the case, like Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman, that he must wait patiently to get his initial opportunity. However, as witnessed by supporters since his appointment, Howe has the tools to unlock every player’s true potential.
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