'A waste of a summer': Anthony Gordon makes England admission and labels Marcus Rashford 'misunderstood' | OneFootball

The new Barcelona forward has made a telling contribution in each of England’s last two games

Anthony Gordon has deemed Euro 2024 “a waste of a summer for me” but says he is enjoying the World Cup 2026, as well as competing with “misunderstood” Marcus Rashford for the left wing role.

Gordon put in quiet displays in both of England’s first two matches of the World Cup, with Rashford coming off the bench and making an impact against both Croatia and Ghana.

The 25-year-old then turned impact sub himself to assist both of Harry Kane’s goals in the 2-1 win over DR Congo as England launched a rescue act, before impressing with a tireless 90 minutes in the 3-2 win away to co-hosts Mexico.

“When I'm called upon against DR Congo, I thought I reacted very well and got the two assists. I missed a lot of football towards the end of the season.

“I didn't think it would feel how it felt in the first two games. I felt rusty, to be honest, but I used sort of as a platform for the DR Congo game because I felt I played safe.

I didn't think it would feel how it felt in the first two games. I felt rusty, to be honest, but I used sort of as a platform for the DR Congo game because I felt I played safe

Anthony Gordon

Gordon’s first tournament was Euro 2024 where he played just one minute of normal time and five minutes of added time as a substitute in a group-stage goalless draw with Slovenia across the whole seven games of England’s run to the final.

“It was good looking back now,” Gordon said. “I didn't enjoy at the time, but I can use that for experience.

“When we got the [World Cup squad] numbers, I texted my agent and, I'm not going to lie, I wanted No11.

“But when I got No18, I said it's actually a good thing because I get to put right in that number, because in the Euros I was No18 and I felt like it was a waste of a summer for me.

“So, I viewed this as an opportunity to make something special out of that number.”

Gordon, this summer, signed for Barcelona from Newcastle, while Rashford — his competitor for game time on the left wing for England — was informed Barca would not be triggering the €30million (£26m) option to make permanent his loan move from Manchester United.

Despite that added narrative to England rivalry, Gordon described Rashford as a “lovely person” and said their relationship is “very good”.

Battle: Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon

Getty

Gordon said: “He is very misunderstood, I think, from the outside.

“I just think he has always got a bit of stick. From my point of view, he has always had a bit of a negative view, just a bit of stick. From when I met him and from all the camps I have been on with him, he is a really nice person, as most footballers are, by the way.

“He is very humble, just quite kid-like. He just loves playing football. You see him, he's always got a ball doing kick-ups and stuff. Lovely guy [who has] been well brought up, a nice family from what I know.

“But we're in competition for a place. That’s football. At elite level, you’re always going to have that and that usually serves me well, so I'm completely fine with that and I'm sure he is.”

Given it appears to have had consequences for Rashford’s own Barcelona career, Gordon was asked whether Rashford had congratulated him on his move to the Catalan giants.

“He congratulated me as soon as he saw me,” Gordon revealed. “To be honest, he has been really helpful. I am trying to look for a house and he has helped me with things about the club, which is helpful, as I have not been there yet. He has been really helpful.”