Barcelona's bold gamble: Anthony Gordon

(NLĐO) - Barcelona has gone through many years of financial difficulties, and the decision to recruit Anthony Gordon has generated much debate.

This raises a big question.

Barcelona has officially signed Anthony Gordon to a five-year contract. Including add-ons, the total value of this deal could exceed 80 million euros. Given the Catalan club's relatively weak financial resources, this enormous sum for a player who isn't yet considered a top European star immediately raises serious questions.

Anthony Gordon will be with Barcelona until 2031 (Photo: Barcelona FC)

On the surface, Gordon isn't the type of striker with impressive statistics. In the last two seasons, the 2001-born player has only scored a total of 12 goals for Newcastle in the Premier League, quite modest compared to his transfer fee. Consistency has also never been a strong point for the English striker. Therefore, fans wonder what made Barcelona so determined to pursue this deal and finalize the price faster than both Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

The answer lies in the tactical values ​​of coach Hansi Flick's system. Under the German coach, Barcelona is aiming to build a team that is high-energy, presses intensely, and demands that attacking players also participate in defense from the front line.

Unlike Marcus Rashford, who is more of a classic striker, Gordon is a diligent winger who frequently pushes forward and then quickly drops back to support the defense.

Prioritize suitability.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old striker is quite versatile, capable of playing in various attacking positions, from winger to center forward when needed. This is especially important as the Camp Nou team is looking for a long-term solution to fill the void left by Robert Lewandowski.

Gordon (right) may be a better fit for manager Hansi Flick's playing style than Rashford (Photo: The FA)

More importantly, Gordon is four years younger than Rashford, lacking experience but full of enthusiasm to prove himself. Barcelona's scouting team clearly has faith in the young player's potential. In a competitive environment like Camp Nou, playing alongside top stars like Lamine Yamal or Raphinha could help Gordon gradually improve his skills.

However, that belief comes with considerable risks. Gordon could shine at the 2026 World Cup with England and make the transfer fee more reasonable. But €80 million means the striker born in 2001 won't have much time to waste. He must make an immediate impact and compete for a starting place in an already high-quality attacking line. At Camp Nou, patience rarely lasts long.

Furthermore, this deal has raised concerns about Barcelona's investment strategy. With the same amount of money, the Catalan giants could easily acquire players who have already proven their class at the highest level. They could even buy Rashford outright from Man United for just 30 million euros. The choice of Gordon shows that Flick is prioritizing fit with the system over reputation.

Gordon could become one of Barcelona's most successful signings in recent years, or it could be a costly investment based on potential. Only when the new season begins will fans at Camp Nou have the accurate answer as to whether the €80 million spent on Anthony Gordon was a wise decision or a risky gamble.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/canh-bac-tao-bao-anthony-gordon-cua-barcelona-196260530130636958.htm