Thomas Tuchel urged to drop England star as new club told ‘check the receipt’

Jun 24, 2026 - 09:45
Thomas Tuchel urged to drop England star as new club told ‘check the receipt’

England boss Thomas Tuchel has been told to drop Anthony Gordon as the winger was ‘nowhere near it’ against Ghana.

Gordon played 65 minutes in the Three Lions’ goalless draw in their second World Cup group game on Tuesday night.

Anthony Gordon playing for England at World Cup
Tuchel has been told to drop Gordon going forward at the World Cup
Getty

The 25-year-old only had one shot in the game, providing two key passes, but he struggled to make an impact on the action.

And that’s something that has left former Tottenham midfielder and talkSPORT host Jamie O’Hara frustrated post-match.

Calling for Gordon to be dropped by Tuchel going forward, O’Hara assessed on The Sports Bar: “Gordon was poor.

“I don’t care what anyone says. He was poor, nowhere near it and he’s got to be better. Marcus Rashford has to start.

“I know there was talk about Rashford having a niggle or whatever, but he’s come on and made a big impact.

“You can’t start Gordon over Rashford. Rashford is a better player than Gordon.”

Co-host Jason Cundy then gave his thoughts, agreeing with O’Hara, but he added to the point of Rashford’s questionable fitness.

Cundy said: “He brought Rashford on late, I think that does mean he has a niggle, maybe he does, maybe he is managing him through.

“The problem with Gordon is that the team around him needed to be better to give him a better opportunity to run 1v1.”

O’Hara then interjected, saying: “They had a low block, compact, tight, the wingers have got to win you the game.

Anthony Gordon playing for England at World Cup
Gordon struggled to make an impact against a deep-sitting Ghana side
Getty

“Every time it went to Gordon, he did nothing with it.

“He’s a good player, I’m not trying to dig him out here, but Rashford’s a better player…he made three things happen in 10 minutes.”

‘Check the receipt’

Gordon’s poor start at the World Cup for England has also raised questions over his recent transfer to Barcelona.

He departed Newcastle for the Spanish giants in a £70million deal in May, signing a five-year contract at the club.

But ex-Aston Villa and Three Lions striker Gabby Agbonlahor and talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham think Barca should reconsider.

Durham gave Gordon a brutal rating of 1/10 for his performance, saying post-match: “Barcelona, check the receipt.”

Anthony Gordon at his Barcelona presentation
Gordon signed for Barcelona from Newcastle for £70m last month
Getty

Before Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT Breakfast, following England’s 0-0 draw: “If I’m Barcelona, I’m checking if the ink’s dry.

“£70m for Gordon, Newcastle must be laughing.

“He wasn’t great last season and he was poor in the first game.

“How he started and lasted as long as he did…the manager was going crazy on that left-hand side during the game.

“He just got the ball and looked like he had no tricks. He had a quick full-back against him and he had no ideas.”

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