Gordon claims Champions League is “proper football” as Premier League shifts to physical, set-piece heavy style | OneFootball

Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon believes Champions League teams try to play more 'proper football' amid a shift in style in the Premier League.

England's top division has seen a notable change in recent months, with an increasing number of teams opting for a direct approach. There has been an increase in long throw-ins in thePremier League this season, with set pieces having become arguably more important than ever.

Arsenal are the clearest example of the stylistic shift. The Gunners lead the Premier League table, but only three teams have scored a higher percentage of their goals this season from set pieces. The North London side have scored 26 goals from set pieces across all competitions this season.

Gordon, who has played his best football for Newcastle in Europe this season, was asked for his view on the difference between thePremier League and Champions League this week.

The Newcastle winger has scored six goals in seven games in European competition, but only two in 18 games domestically.

Speaking to the media ahead of facing Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening, he said teams in Europe 'try and play proper football'.

"I think in theChampions League, teams are much more open. They all try and play, it's less transitional. I think in the Premier League it's become more physical than ever. It's like a basketball game sometimes," he said ahead of facing Paris Saint-Germain.

"It's so relentless, physically. There's not much control, it's a running game. Sometimes it's about duels,. Who wins the duels, wins the game. TheChampions League is a bit more of an older style game, it's a bit more football based. Teams come and try and play proper football.

"I think in thePremier League, you're seeing a lot more long throw-ins, set-pieces. It's become a lot slower and a lot more set-piece based."