Game of Numbers #35 – Anthony Gordon’s embodiment of the Newcastle way

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Newcastle United have been defined in the Eddie Howe era by energy and intensity, including an all-out press, and fervid counter attacking immediately upon regaining possession. Anthony Gordon perfectly embodies the Newcastle way under Eddie Howe, and has been one of the surprise stars of the 2023-24 season. Many scoffed at Chelsea’s interest in the former Everton youngster at the start of last season, particularly the price tag bestowed upon him. But Gordon is proving to be a priceless acquisition for the Magpies this season, bringing his tireless tenacity to the table every game. Here is Game of Numbers #35.

ANTHONY GORDON’S TIRELESS TENACIT Y

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Few wingers in the world have been as stellar as Anthony Gordon this season, with the 22-year-old wreaking havoc against even some of the best fullbacks in the division. Last season was an adjustment period for Gordon, assisting just 1 goal in his 12 appearances as a substitute. This campaign, the wing wizard has accumulated 5 goals with 3 assists already in 12 league matches, truly taking the mantle down the left-hand-side.

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In fact, that position was often one that needed reassurances, with Allan Saint-Maximin unable to stay fit long enough, and the likes of Joelinton and Joe Willock swapping into the role instead. Gordon’s completely made the role his own this season, even with stern competition from new signing Harvey Barnes.

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What makes Gordon so spectacular is his frightening energy. He plays like a derailed freight train hopped up on Coca-Cola and Mentos, ready to explode at any moment. This becomes a particularly useful asset on the break, where Gordon will often be the one driving the team forward.

As he pushes defenses back with his pace and power on the break, he allows the likes of Isak and Wilson to create space in the pockets of space that open.

He’s always looking to take that ball onto his right foot and work magic from there, which should make him a relatively predictable left-winger.

However, the sheer speed at which he plays the ball across his body always catches the opposition off-guard. He’s got the perfect mix of close control, outside of the boot technical talent, mixed with the tactical ability to know exactly when to take that bigger push away from the defender. Just look at the distance he’s created here from the previous image.

He’ll then turn you inside out and make you collapse on the ground, or even nutmeg it past you to take advantage of the space in behind.

Crucial to the process at all times is that undeniable speed, where even the quickest defenders in the league struggle to handle his effervescent energy. Just ask Reece James, who found himself troubled and tormented by the 22-year-old en route to picking up a red card this past weekend.

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Gordon played a critical hand in three of Newcastle’s four goals in their historic 4-1 win over the bluesy Blues. The first came after he kept the ball alive and played a critical pass into the penalty area for Joelinton, who then bounced it to the fantastic right-foot assist of young Lewis Miley.

The second came from his cross, a beautifully whipped in ball from his curling right foot.

Then the third came from his stellar movement in behind the defense after he went up top as the ‘9’, before taking the ball toward goal against all the odds. This moment came as a perfect encapsulation of the quickness at which the Newcastle winger shifts the ball onto his right-foot, somehow still wrong-footing Benoit Badiashile.

That lightning quick speed makes him such a threat in attacking phases, but it also makes him a critical component to the Newcastle press. Gordon’s great at anticipating moments to amplify the intensity and pounce, such as on slow passes or loose touches.

He’s also excellent at hurrying the opposition away from goal or limiting forward penetration through his terrier-like hounding. He’ll even hustle and bustle for out of position mates, always in it for the cause of the greater team.

All and all, it’s the perfect player for Newcastle to have in that position. Anthony Gordon is now completely justifying the money spent on him last season, and silencing all the doubters. At 22-years-old, he could even continue to grow from here. That’s a frightening thought, especially if you’re a Premier League fullback.

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DOUGLAS LUIZ’S VILLA EVOLUTION

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Ever since Unai Emery entered the door at Aston Villa, Douglas Luiz has been on fire. He’s formed the perfect partnership with Boubacar Kamara, which sees him playing more of a ‘Box to Box’ role alongside the defensive cover of the former Marseille man. This has massively helped to bring out the best in Luiz’s game, as he’s typically been restricted to a deeper role in the team. Now with the license to roam forward and play passes for fun, we’re seeing the best out of the Brazilian.

Douglas Luiz plays a pivotal role for the Villains in every phase of the game, but his best bits this season have all come in the attacking phase. Right from the build-up, Kamara will act as a centralized pivot and attract the pressure onto him, before releasing to Luiz in space. This often allows the 25-year-old to carry the ball forward and kickstart Villa’s attack.

Since Luiz lacks the natural pace and power to evade defenders, he has to be quite smart about his wherewithal on the pitch, and beat players with silky smooth close control rather than speed. He’s efficient at releasing the ball onto others at the right moment, such as spraying switches of play or playing through passes into space for his speedy strikers to run onto.

Continuously scanning the field allows him to assess moments to play these line breaking passes, while knowing exactly how much time he has to release the ball.

Further forward, Luiz has upped his goal threat and made himself one of the most threatening members of Emery’s attack. He notched 6 goals with 6 assists in a stellar 2022-23 campaign, but he’s already on track to break that personal record with a 5 goal and 2 assist haul so far in his first 13 appearances. For all his brilliance, not even new signing Moussa Diaby can best that contribution, and only Ollie Watkins ranks ahead.

Douglas Luiz smartly scores goals through timing of movement forward. As opposition sides compact their defense and set up shop, Luiz lingers outside the top of the box and prepares to strike. He loves to let fly from distance, and he’s even bagged two of his five goals this season from outside the eighteen.

He’s equally efficient at gobbling up rebounds or playing the foil to Ollie Watkins, who will naturally attract all the attention onto himself. Combine that upped goal threat with his eye for a pass, and suddenly you get one of the most efficient central midfielders in the division. He’s even been trusted to take set-pieces this season despite Lucas Digne’s brilliance from a dead-ball, which says much about what Emery thinks of his quality.

The only problem is that if Douglas Luiz carries on like this, it will be difficult for bigger sides not to take notice. He never quite made it at Manchester City after signing as a youngster, but the 25-year-old is now easily playing his way back into one of Europe’s elite sides; if Aston Villa aren’t there already. For now, the Brazilian midfielder is becoming a cult hero at the club, and deserves plaudits as one of the best in the league so far this season.

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Be sure to check out more from my Game of Numbers series, and follow on social media @desmondrhys. Thanks for reading and see you soon!

-> Game of Numbers #34 – Dribbling lessons from Jérémy Doku & Midge Purce
-> Game of Numbers #33 – Nicolas Jackson & the art of extra touches
-> Game of Numbers #32 – Harry Kane’s playmaking at Bayern Munich

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