Alan Shearer and Eddie Howe agree on Anthony Gordon 'dream' that will benefit Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon is 'committed' to the Newcastle United cause after a welcome morale boost on England duty this week. The Magpies forward enjoyed a sensational season last term in United colours, but was then left largely on the sidelines in England's EURO24 campaign.
Gordon was overlooked by then boss Gareth Southgate during the tournament, making only one brief substitute appearances, and returned to Tyneside perhaps with something to prove on an international level. However, new England boss Lee Carsley showed his faith in the United star in their two wins over Ireland and Finland last week, something which Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe and goallscoring legend Alan Shearer feel came at a good time for the 23-year-old.
Howe insists he didn't have to lift Gordon after his disappointing summer, but says he is more motivated than ever to continue to perform at the highest level for United and continue to pursue is footballing ambitions.
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Asked if he had had to raise the player's spirits on his return, Howe said: "I wouldn't say to raise his spirits, but of course I spoke with him and we had many conversations over the summer. I think it's re-aligning thought processes, it's being positive about the next stage of your career.
"Sometimes you can have a hangover from something negative - not that Anthony was in that position, but it's always about your next challenge, moment and how you're going to start the season and take all of the momentum that he built last season into this one.
"This is a big season for him in his career. You don't get many second chances in your career - the years go so quickly, and I can vouch for that. He's still young and developing, but he needs to maximise every moment. He is the type of character that wants to do that. He's very committed to his next dream and aim and that's to have a great season with us."
Newcastle's record goalscorer Shearer is adamant Gordon was underused over the summer and was delighted to see him shine for the Three Lions in the international break. And he's hoping his can build on that confidence boost for both club and country.
"I think for Anthony Gordon’s belief and confidence, for him to understand what he means to the England squad and what the manager believes in, then this international break has been huge for Anthony," Shearer told Betfair. "Lee Carsley managed him in the U21s, so he knows what he can do and how well he did; he got player of the tournament for him.
"So, for Lee to then come in and give him that confidence and that belief to carry that on in the senior team after what happened to him in the summer, well he must be feeling pretty special about himself and rightly so.
"Anthony Gordon was underused at the Euros. I was mystified as to why he wasn't given more of an opportunity. For Gordon to have played 3-4 minutes during the whole tournament to me, was bizarre and wrong. I think England would have done a whole lot better if he was in the team. I didn't understand why he wasn’t in the team more when England were struggling, and I totally understood and agreed with the recent interview Anthony Gordon gave."
Gordon is set to start today when United face Wolves at Molineux. You can follow the game in our live blog here.