Spanish press rip into ‘predictable’ Anthony Gordon and question why Barcelona did not sign Marcus Rashford

Anthony Gordon’s £69.3million move to Barcelona has come in for scathing criticism in the Spanish media.

The LaLiga champions completed the signing of the winger from Newcastle last month on a five-year deal, but questions are being asked as to why they didn’t make Marcus Rashford‘s loan switch to the Camp Nou permanent instead.

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Rashford impressed during his stint with Barcelona last season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions, but looks set to begin pre-season with parent club Manchester United.

Gordon and Rashford have both seen a good amount of action for England at the ongoing World Cup, but Gordon’s ‘conservative’ displays have not gone down well in Spain.

‘Predictable’ Gordon slammed

Pondering whether 25-year-old Gordon’s substantial price tag might be weighing him down for Spanish outlet ABC, journalist Javier Ansonera wrote on Monday: “Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, gave him the left wing position in the first two group stage matches: the promising 4-2 win against Croatia and the disappointing goalless draw against Ghana.

“But Gordon didn’t perform well in either game. He looked conservative, avoiding risks with his passing, not threatening the full-back, and predictable. Perhaps the hefty transfer fee is taking its toll on him.”

Ansonera also bemoaned Barca’s apparent decision not to buy Rashford at a considerably lower price.

“Rashford, who has been on loan from Manchester United and played a key role in Barca’s LaLiga title win this season, could have stayed in Barcelona for €30 million [£25.8m],” he wrote.

“But that doesn’t seem to be the intention of the Barca board, with his loan spell ending in just a few hours.”

Gordon joined Barca having found the net 17 times in all competitions for Newcastle last term.

The former Everton man was part of the Magpies side which suffered a humiliating 7-2 defeat to his new club in the Champions League last 16.

Gordon’s dream becomes reality

Speaking as he was unveiled as a Barca player, Gordon noted how he had fulfilled a childhood dream – and endeared himself to fans by answering some questions in Spanish and Catalan.

“I wanted to speak Spanish because as a kid I believed I would play for Barca, believe it or not,” he said.

“I have a [Spanish] physio in Newcastle and we spoke every day and I told him one day I’ll play for Barca, so I want to learn Spanish. So that’s how I speak some.

“I always wanted Barca. Barca, like I said then, it’s the biggest club on the planet. It’s the stuff I dreamed of as a child. It really is a dream come true.”

Where next for Rashford?

Meanwhile, Rashford’s future remains uncertain after two loan spells away from Old Trafford – the first with Aston Villa in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

talkSPORT understands that Man United have not closed the door on re-integrating the 28-year-old into the squad but they would prefer to cash in on their academy graduate.

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Rashford came off the bench in each of England’s first two World Cup group games, scoring their fourth goal against Croatia, before playing the entirety of the 2-0 win over Panama.

talkSPORT’s Jamie O’Hara recently urged Tottenham to ‘break the bank’ to sign Rashford, who has two years left on his contract at Old Trafford.