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DON'T MISS ANY ACTION FROM THE WORLD CUP

Thomas Tuchel must take inspiration from Barcelona and select €80 million man Anthony Gordon to start for England at the World Cup instead of Marcus Rashford.

When Marcus Rashford first attempted to speak Spanish, Lamine Yamal burst into laughter. It happened during the Manchester United loanee’s first training session in Catalunya – at least the first one shared publicly – after he chased shadows in a rondo and uttered something barely comprehensible to the Ballon d’Or favourite. By contrast, Barcelona’s newest English recruit, Anthony Gordon, made a remarkable first impression when his near-fluent Spanish left viewers stunned during his unveiling press conference.

Gordon’s transfer to Camp Nou came as both an expensive and surprising move. His wish to leave Newcastle United, the Magpies’ financial need to sell, and Barcelona’s determination to beat Bayern Munich to the deal saw the move finalised within 24 hours of social media buzz. The transfer fee, potentially rising to an eye-watering €80 million (£69m/$93m), underscored Barca’s intent.

This move injects an intriguing twist into one of the few selection dilemmas facing England ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Gordon and Rashford – whose own future has been cast into uncertainty following Barcelona’s hefty investment in a player with similar qualities – are competing for the left-wing slot. Tuchel is expected to give both a chance to impress in upcoming friendlies against New Zealand and Costa Rica.

At present, Rashford remains the more glamorous choice. His style is easy on the eye, and he has delivered goals for England before – including three at the 2022 World Cup. On his day, he is an elite attacker proven at the highest level.

Yet, Gordon may prove to be the more pragmatic option. He might not match Rashford’s goal tally or elegance on the ball, but Barcelona’s new signing is a quintessential Tuchel-type player, perfectly suited to the system, and arguably deserves to start as England seek to end six decades of disappointment.

Rashford’s resurgence

It’s essential to recall just how talented Rashford is. Once Manchester United’s homegrown hero, he appeared down and out less than two years ago following a fallout with Ruben Amorim that led him to declare he was “ready for a new challenge.” A loan spell at Aston Villa showed flashes of resurgence, but it was clear Rashford needed a permanent move to truly reignite his career.

Barcelona agreed only to a loan, but the €30 million (£26m/$35m) option to buy was hardly prohibitive. Despite competition from Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Ferran Torres, Rashford had a fresh opportunity to rebuild.

“[Barcelona sporting director] Deco and I discussed before the season what we needed. We needed a player like him. I’m delighted to have him in Barcelona,” said Hansi Flick in September. Rashford repaid that faith with 14 goals and 11 assists, including a stunning free-kick in May’s El Clasico that helped clinch the La Liga title in style.

Rashford has since expressed his wish to remain at Camp Nou, with several teammates urging the club to make the deal permanent. His form has ensured that the chance Tuchel gave him in March 2025 remains alive as he approaches his fifth major international tournament.

Mixed campaign for Gordon

Statistically, Gordon’s 2025-26 campaign did not outshine Rashford’s. He recorded 17 goals, including 10 in the Champions League, but managed only five assists while logging more minutes than his England teammate.

His inconsistent Premier League form contributed to Newcastle’s slump to a 12th-place finish, and by the season’s end, he was often left out of the squad as all parties prepared for an inevitable separation.

Beyond the numbers

However, Gordon offers attributes that Rashford does not – qualities that extend beyond goals and assists. Modern football increasingly revolves around systems rather than individual flair, particularly at the international level, where top talents rely on tireless teammates to maintain structure and tempo.

Gordon epitomises the ideal supporting runner. On the pitch, his energy is relentless, both in and out of possession. He consistently makes runs into the channels to provide passing options, often to no immediate reward, yet never ceases his efforts.

Defensively, Gordon is an unyielding presser, constantly harassing opponents. During the 2023-24 season, he famously dispossessed Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, beat three defenders, and calmly finished – a moment that showcased his intensity and technical quality.

According to Statsbomb, Gordon averaged 7.43 kilometres covered per game last season, surpassing Rashford. He ranked in the 96th percentile for defensive actions, 98th for pressures, and 94th for counter-pressures in the Premier League – elite numbers by any measure.

Tactical compatibility

From a tactical standpoint, Gordon fits seamlessly into Tuchel’s philosophy. While Phil Foden and Cole Palmer might be more technically gifted, neither aligns with Tuchel’s preferred structure as neatly as Gordon – which explains their omission from the summer squad.

England’s system revolves around Harry Kane, whose deep-lying playmaking requires a wide runner capable of exploiting the spaces he leaves behind. Gordon fits that profile perfectly.

Having occasionally played as a No.9 for Everton and Newcastle – and potentially for Barcelona depending on replacements for Lewandowski – Gordon remains at heart a traditional winger. His commitment to repeating runs down the flank provides consistency and width.

With the ball, he complements Kane’s playmaking, and off it, his tireless work rate offers his captain valuable respite. The two have already built chemistry, playing 528 minutes together across 12 matches, winning nine – including a 5-0 rout of Latvia where both found the net.

A calculated gamble

Selecting Gordon over Rashford carries risk, but Tuchel’s approach has always prioritised tactical cohesion over star power. England’s Euro 2024 disappointment under Sir Gareth Southgate serves as a reminder of what happens when loyalty outweighs logic in team selection.

While Gordon might not boast Rashford’s unpredictability, his consistency and work ethic could be vital to England’s success. His dribbling prowess – with more take-ons per 90 minutes than any other Newcastle player last season – adds potency, but it’s his off-ball intelligence and pressing that best serve Tuchel’s vision. Rashford remains the more dazzling option, yet Tuchel may need to bet on Gordon if England aim to make a deep run in North America.

Impact from the bench

Even if Rashford doesn’t start, he still has a crucial role to play. With soaring temperatures expected during the World Cup, Tuchel will rely on rotation to keep players fresh.

Given the absence of creative alternatives like Palmer and Foden, Rashford stands out as one of the few genuine impact substitutes capable of changing games late on. Conversely, Gordon’s effectiveness might wane as a substitute, particularly when chasing a result.

Ultimately, whether Barcelona choose to make Rashford’s stay permanent and pit him directly against Gordon at club level remains to be seen. But for Tuchel, the decision for England seems straightforward: start Gordon – after all, he cost €80 million for a reason.

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