Anthony Gordon has pleaded with reporters to let him enjoy his football amid speculation over his Newcastle future. The England winger has been linked with a departure from the Magpies this year.
It was widely claimed that Liverpool had an interest in signing the former Everton man during the summer transfer window. Newcastle needed to make sales to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.
A transfer never materialised, with Newcastle instead selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh. Gordon – a boyhood Liverpool fan who reportedly grew up idolising Steven Gerrard – remained at St James’ Park but grew frustrated with persistent reports discussing his future.
Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes were also said to have been of interest to Newcastle’s rivals ahead of the 2024-25 season.
“I’ve had a lot this year about my future, where I’m going, where I want to go – without anyone actually asking me,” Gordon told Sky Sports.
“It’s all a bit… Just leave me to play football! I just want to be happy [and] play football. I love being here, I’ve said it plenty of times. With the speculation, people assume that it’s all correct, when you’ve not heard from me once that I’m unhappy at this place.
“I love everyone here, I love playing football here. That was all that was.”
Gordon believes the speculation has even affected his performances, adding: “It has [frustrated me]. It has taken me away from enjoying my football. That’s where the inconsistency has come from because I’ve got caught in [the speculation] a little bit.
“I just want to play football, especially for Newcastle. We’re only human, I’m only 23. All I’ve heard is, ‘When is he leaving?’. Who said I was ever going to leave?
“I’m very, very happy here. I love playing football here. Alex [Isak] and Bruno [Guimaraes] probably think the same thing. We’re all young and we’re all human beings, so if people talk about that and it questions our character, it’s hard.”
Gordon has struggled for consistency this season, playing in all three forward positions. The 23-year-old has scored only three goals in 14 Premier League appearances. He had scored six by this stage last term and went on to bag 12 goals and 11 assists.
Newcastle extended Gordon’s contract in October, announcing that he had penned a “long-term” deal. That likely rules out a departure in the January transfer window.
