Top News

Thomas Tuchel would do well to follow Barcelona’s example and hand a starting role to €80 million man Anthony Gordon for England at the upcoming World Cup, in place of Marcus Rashford.

When Marcus Rashford first tried to speak Spanish, Lamine Yamal couldn’t stop laughing. It happened during Rashford’s initial training session as a Manchester United loanee in Catalunya — or at least the first one shown publicly. After chasing shadows during a rondo, Rashford’s barely comprehensible Spanish attempt left the Ballon d’Or favourite in stitches. In stark contrast, Barcelona’s latest English signing, Anthony Gordon, stunned fans during his introductory press conference with his near-fluent Spanish.

Gordon’s transfer to Camp Nou was both expensive and unexpected. His desire to leave Newcastle United, the Magpies’ financial need to sell, and Barcelona’s determination to beat Bayern Munich to the deal meant the move was completed within 24 hours of speculation. The total fee could reach a massive €80 million (£69m/$93m).

This move has added an intriguing twist to one of the few selection dilemmas facing England ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Gordon and Rashford — whose own future now looks uncertain following Barcelona’s significant investment in a player with similar traits — are battling for the left-wing position. Tuchel is expected to give both players a chance to impress in the upcoming friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica.

At present, Rashford remains the favourite. His game is more aesthetically pleasing, and he has already delivered for England — notably scoring three times at the 2022 World Cup. On his day, he is an elite forward who has repeatedly proven his quality at the top level.

However, Gordon may be the more pragmatic choice. While he doesn’t score as frequently or glide across the ball as elegantly, the new Barcelona signing embodies the type of player Tuchel prefers — disciplined, hardworking, and system-oriented. He seems an ideal fit for this England setup and should be a natural starter as the Three Lions aim to end six decades of disappointment.

Rashford’s resurgence

It is important to recall how talented Rashford truly is. Once Manchester United’s homegrown poster boy, his career appeared to stall less than two years ago after a fallout with Ruben Amorim, which led him to declare he was “ready for a new challenge.” A loan spell at Aston Villa hinted at a revival, but it was evident that Rashford needed a permanent move to reignite his career.

Barcelona were willing to take him on loan with an option to buy for €30 million (£26m/$35m) — a reasonable price tag. Despite competition from Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Rashford was handed a genuine opportunity for a fresh start.

“[Barcelona sporting director] Deco and I discussed before the season what we needed. We wanted a player like him. I’m very happy to have him here in Barcelona,” said Hansi Flick in September. Rashford repaid that faith with 14 goals and 11 assists, including a sensational free-kick in May’s El Clasico that sealed the La Liga title in style.

Rashford has since expressed his desire to stay at Camp Nou, and several teammates have urged the club to make his move permanent. His consistent performances ensured that Tuchel’s show of faith in March 2025 extended right through to his fifth major international tournament.

Underwhelming returns

By comparison, Gordon’s statistics during the 2025–26 season were less impressive. He scored 17 goals — 10 of them in the Champions League — but managed only five assists despite playing more minutes than Rashford.

His dip in form in the Premier League contributed heavily to Newcastle’s disappointing 12th-place finish. By the end of the season, Gordon was even being left out of the squad as both player and club prepared for an inevitable separation.

Hidden strengths

Yet, what Gordon brings to the table often goes beyond traditional metrics like goals and assists. Modern football is increasingly system-driven rather than reliant on individual brilliance, especially in international tournaments where players must complement one another to maintain tactical cohesion.

Gordon is the quintessential team player. On the pitch, he rarely stops moving — whether pressing, tracking back, or making supporting runs. He is constantly available for through balls, repeatedly running the channels even when those efforts yield little immediate reward.

Off the ball, he is a relentless presser who disrupts opposition defenders constantly. One memorable example came during the 2023–24 season when Gordon dispossessed Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, dribbled past three defenders, and calmly finished.

His underlying stats back this up. Gordon covered more ground per game — an average of 7.43 kilometres — than Rashford last season. According to Statsbomb, he ranked in the 96th percentile for defensive actions, 98th for pressures, and 94th for counter-pressures in the Premier League — elite numbers by any measure.

Tactical compatibility

From a tactical standpoint, Gordon fits Tuchel’s philosophy perfectly. While Phil Foden and Cole Palmer might be technically superior, neither aligns as seamlessly with Tuchel’s preferred structure as Gordon does — a key reason they were omitted from this summer’s squad.

England’s system revolves around Harry Kane, and Tuchel has embraced his captain’s tendency to drop deep and create. For that to work, he needs wide players willing to make penetrating runs into the spaces Kane vacates — a role Gordon executes naturally.

Although he has occasionally played as a No.9 for Everton and Newcastle (and could again for Barcelona post-Lewandowski), Gordon’s development as a traditional winger makes him ideal for Tuchel’s setup. His repetitive but precise runs provide the balance Kane needs to operate freely.

In possession, Gordon’s movement complements Kane perfectly. Out of possession, his tireless work rate allows the captain to conserve energy. The pair have already combined effectively, having shared 528 minutes on the pitch across 12 games — winning nine, including a 5-0 rout of Latvia where both found the net.

Tactical gamble

Of course, such a decision would carry some risk — but that’s part of Tuchel’s managerial DNA. The German tactician is known for prioritising structure over star power, and he has never hesitated to bench big names if it benefits the collective system.

Benching Rashford for Gordon would continue that trend. It’s a philosophy rooted in lessons from Sir Gareth Southgate’s tenure, particularly during Euro 2024, when England’s rigidity and loyalty to underperforming stars ultimately cost them.

That’s not to say Gordon lacks flair — he completed more successful take-ons per 90 minutes than any other Newcastle player last season. But it’s his off-ball intelligence and energy that make him a better fit. Rashford may offer more unpredictability, but for Tuchel’s England to thrive in North America, calculated risks like this one are necessary.

Ideal impact substitute

Even if Rashford doesn’t start, his value to the squad remains significant. With the high temperatures expected during the tournament, Tuchel will need to rotate smartly to prevent fatigue among his starters.

Without options like Palmer or Foden, Rashford could emerge as one of the few effective impact substitutes capable of changing a game with his pace and directness. Conversely, Gordon’s skill set suits a starting role better than coming off the bench when England are chasing a result.

Ultimately, whether Barcelona finalise Rashford’s permanent move and reignite competition with Gordon at club level remains to be seen. But for now, Tuchel’s choice for England seems clear: start Anthony Gordon — after all, Barcelona didn’t pay €80 million for nothing.