Newcastle could sign “generational talent” to steal Gordon’s #10 shirt
Newcastle United have now suffered a catalogue of away defeats across all competitions this season, and Eddie Howe needs to stop the rot if this is to be a successful season.
A Carabao Cup charge is on once more, and the Magpies are making progress on their return to the Champions League, but defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day condemned the Tyneside club to more misery in the Premier League, further widening the gap to the European places.
When will the manager find the right formula? It’s anyone’s guess at the moment, with key personnel like Anthony Gordon unable to produce the goods and thus limiting the club’s attacking fluency.
Wasteful. That was how Newcastle performed at Old Trafford. Gordon simply hasn’t been good enough in front of goal this season, and something needs to give.
Anthony Gordon's Newcastle form
Gordon attracted Liverpool’s attention in 2024, and figures totalling £100m started floating around transfer narratives. However, the Three Lions man is a world away from that old valuation, having struggled for form for some time now.
Gordon might fancy himself a slippery customer for opponents, but his energy and pace fall flat when he is unable to produce the goods in the danger area. Indeed, only two of his seven goals in all competitions this season have been from open play.
One scout has even noted that he is entering “Gabriel Obertan territory”, naturally talented but without the end product to match.
Frustratingly, this spell does not sit as an outlier. Gordon has ebbed and flowed his way through his Tyneside chapter, and he’s struggled for sharpness in the final third since being crowned Newcastle’s Player of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Anthony Gordon’s Premier League Career
Season
Apps
Goals + Assists
25/26 (NUFC)
13
2 + 1
24/25 (NUFC)
34
6 + 5
23/24 (NUFC)
35
11 + 10
22/23 (NUFC)
16
1 + 0
22/23 (EFC)
16
3 + 0
21/22 (EFC)
35
4 + 2
20/21 (EFC)
3
0 + 0
19/20 (EFC)
11
0 + 1
Data via Sofascore
While he’ll remain an important part of Howe’s brood for the foreseeable, prudence might be needed, finding an eventual successor in 2026.
Well, technical director Ross Wilson might have just the up-and-comer in his sights.
Why Newcastle must upgrade on Gordon
Newcastle may struggle to sign a ready-made Gordon upgrade in the current climate, especially with an emphasis set to be placed on reinforcing the defensive flanks and signing a top centre-midfielder too.
Before Christmas, TEAMtalk revealed that Newcastle are part of a pack of suitors who have identified Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga as one to sign, and as he continues to go from strength to strength in the Championship, Newcastle might want to strike while they can.
Hailed as a “generational talent” by journalist Graeme Bailey, Monga is only 16 years old but he has already established himself as a permanent matchday member, scoring once and assisting one more across 15 league fixtures this season, starting five times.
Fast and furious, Monga will cost upwards of £15m, potentially much more. He is a versatile and unpredictable winger, and he has already developed something of a keen eye for goal.
Given his youth, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that Gordon could end up being replaced by this rising star, who has already shown that he could play a part in Howe’s senior side.
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Could this be the man to take Gordon’s No. 10 shirt from him? Monga ranks among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Championship this season for progressive carries and the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
There is so much to like. He is more robust in his usage of his pace and physicality, and he is only going to improve over the coming years.
Monga is a top talent, someone worth challenging the big guns for. He is already establishing himself on the senior stage and he might just have what it takes to swipe Gordon’s shirt from him down the line – perhaps not just for club but for country too.
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