Eddie Howe Backs Anthony Gordon Ahead of Chelsea Clash | OneFootball

Eddie Howe ensured he publicly backed England international Anthony Gordon during his pre-match press conference ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Chelsea.

The Magpies boss dispelled rumours about the attitude of the former Everton player after he started Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Barcelona due to illness.

Howe said: “I do have to clear something up with Anthony Gordon. He was absolutely willing to play in the game against Barcelona.

“I know there are a lot of comments. It was my decision not to start him, based on the fact that he’d been ill that morning and hadn’t attended the training session, so he was prepared to play, but, in consultation with the medical team, we didn’t think he was fit to play.”

When later asked about his character, Howe categorised Gordon as a ‘winner’, adding: “He wants to win everything. He’s a real competitor.

“He’s got that streak to him that, that I think, all top players need, where he’s very single-minded, very focused on his development and his game.

“I can only speak really glowingly of him this year. It hasn’t been a straightforward season for him. He’s had a lot of challenges, as every player does. 
But I think he’s probably in the best moment that he’s been this season, currently. He’s playing really well.”

Gordon’s output in the Premier League this season has been underwhelming, with just four goals and two assists. However, he has shone in the Champions League, registering ten goals and two assists. Only Kylian Mbappe has netted more times than the Scouser in Europe’s premier competition.

His manager also accepted that his status as an England player leads to more scrutiny on his performances.

Howe said: “As soon as you play for England, you go to a different level in terms of scrutiny and expectation. 
So the modern player has to withstand all of those things.

“Ant’s done that well, and I think he’s single-minded enough to blank out a lot of the noise; that’s one of his strengths.”

Newcastle will be looking to defeat Chelsea to give them a boost of confidence ahead of Tuesday night’s second-leg clash at the Camp Nou, with Gordon set to be an integral player in both games.