Anthony Gordon says LaLiga offers a tougher test than Premier League

Anthony Gordon believes LaLiga has presented him with a more demanding tactical and technical challenge than the Premier League, despite describing English football as an exceptionally intense competition.

The former Newcastle United winger has made an impressive start to life in Spain, supplying three assists in his opening three matches.

Gordon created history on his LaLiga debut by becoming the first player this century to provide two assists in his first appearance in the competition. He maintained that excellent form against Rayo Vallecano, producing another moment of individual quality to set up Raphinha.

His latest assist came from an inventive backheel, with new Barcelona signing Rodri appearing stunned by the speed and execution of Gordon’s piece of skill.

The England international said he had enjoyed playing in the Premier League and credited it with playing a major part in his development. However, he believes the demands of Spanish football are different and require greater tactical awareness and technical precision.

“I’m not going to deny that the Premier League is incredibly intense,” Gordon said.

“The rhythm is relentless. There are physical battles everywhere. Long ball kicks, corner kicks and a lot of contact.

“That’s why many English players believe it is the best league in the world. They’re used to that kind of chaos. I loved playing in the Premier League, and it played a huge role in my development.

“But Spanish football demands a different level of tactical and technical intelligence.”

Gordon said the physical intensity of the Premier League can occasionally help players recover from errors, whereas mistakes tend to be exposed more quickly in Spain.

“In England, sometimes intensity can cover up mistakes,” he added.

“You can miscontrol the ball and still recover by winning the next physical battle. Here, a bad first touch or a lack of concentration on your positioning can punish you immediately.

“The spaces are smaller, the decisions have to be faster, and everything must be cleaner.”

The 25-year-old also suggested that some Premier League sides could struggle to reproduce LaLiga’s patient, possession-based style on a regular basis.

He said teams would need enough quality and composure in midfield to deal with the demands of a game in which players have less time and space to correct mistakes.

“Some Premier League teams would have a hard time playing this style consistently because they may not have the patience or quality in the midfield that is required,” Gordon said.

“That’s not disrespecting them, it’s just what I’ve noticed in my first games. There’s a different football intelligence here.”

Gordon will have the opportunity to build on his impressive beginning with Barcelona when the Spanish champions travel to face Valencia on Sunday.

His start in Spain has combined end product with creativity, while his assessment of the two leagues highlights the contrast between the Premier League’s physical intensity and LaLiga’s emphasis on tactical detail, close control and rapid decision-making.