NUFC believe int’l football is why star is struggling & his willingness to be versatile is actually to team’s detriment – report

Newcastle United believe playing international football is one of the reasons for Anthony Gordon’s fluctuating form so far this term, according to the Daily Mail.

While Magpies manager Eddie Howe and his staff support and champion his inclusion, he had often left for a week or more of international duty just when they felt he was close to rediscovering his best.

Gordon has two goals and an assist in 12 Premier League appearances for Newcastle in 2024-25 after ending last term with 11 goals and ten assists in 35 league games.

Some well-placed sources at the St James Park club also believe his willingness to be versatile, for the apparent good of the team, is actually to the detriment of the Toons, insisting he is far happier and far more likely to be the player of last season as a left winger.

Gordon has played on the right and as a striker several times this term, with just six of his 13 starts coming from the left side of a front three.

The Newcastle star has struggled playing out of position, and Howe will now hope he can get back to his best with international football not resuming until March 2025.

Gordon has returned from international football at a reduced level since the campaign started, and on reflection, those close to him believe the European Championship was a waste of time and he would have been better taking a break and hitting the ground running with Newcastle when the new campaign started.

The 23-year-old will be desperate to recover his form of last season as the Toons head into the second half of the campaign, and there is no better time to start and finally kick off than tonight.

The Magpies host Premier League leaders Liverpool, who were keen on signing Gordon in the summer, and they could do with a win right now following the defeat to West Ham United and draw against Crystal Palace.