Barcelona summer signing issued warning by former player – “He will not have a second chance” | OneFootball

In the coming weeks, Anthony Gordon will join up with his Barcelona teammates ahead of his first season at the club. The 25-year-old signed earlier this summer from Newcastle United in a deal worth €80m, which is a lot of money for a player that will not be arriving as an immediate starter.

In principle, Gordon will occupy the backup role to Raphinha on the left wing, although he will get plenty of chances to impress. Expectations will be high given the price Barcelona paid to sign him, and that has been made clear by former Blaugrana midfielder Emmanuel Petit, who spoke this week on the England international (via MD).

“He will have to show great character from the beginning because he will not have a second chance at Barcelona. I like Gordon. I think he’s a good guy and a good player, but at Barcelona, with his DNA and his way of playing, you have to make a big difference, especially if you’re a forward, because everything is based on attack.

“Barcelona fans have lived with Lamine Yamal, Leo Messi and great Ballon d’Or winners on the wings. He has an enormous responsibility. He has speed, he is fast and can have a great impact on the left wing, but technically he has a lot of things that he needs to improve.”

Petit uses Rashford as example of Gordon pressure

Petit further piled the pressure on Gordon by using the example of Marcus Rashford, who endorsed the Barcelona move to his international teammate earlier in the summer. The Manchester United man failed to convince the Catalan club’s sporting department to sign him permanently, despite registering 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season.

“I wish him the best, but if he doesn’t have an impact in the first few games it will be very difficult. Marcus Rashford was there and had a good season in that position, and now he’s gone.”