Anthony Gordon’s Barcelona debut gives Hansi Flick a fresh attacking option

Anthony Gordon needed only seven days at Barcelona to make a strong enough impression for manager Hansi Flick to select him in the starting line-up for his first appearance.

The England winger joined Barcelona training on 9 August after enjoying fewer than three weeks of holiday following his involvement with England at the World Cup.

According to Sport, Flick had made up his mind after just one week and was no longer prepared to wait before seeing Gordon in action.

Gordon wore the number 17 shirt and started Barcelona’s friendly against Basel. The team selection had initially suggested he might be used in a different role, with Raphinha expected to operate on the left, Karim Adeyemi on the right and Gordon potentially deployed as a central striker.

Flick, however, chose another solution. The German manager moved Raphinha into a central position and gave Gordon the left flank, where he has regularly played for both Newcastle United and England.

That role allowed Gordon to use one of his main strengths: receiving the ball in an open position, confronting the defender and driving inside.

He offered an early indication of what Barcelona could expect. In the third minute, Gordon collected possession on the left, faced his marker and went all the way to the byline before cutting the ball back. The pass came within centimetres of reaching either Raphinha or Eric Garcia.

The pattern continued through the opening stages. Gordon repeatedly appeared on the left but did not simply remain close to the touchline. Instead, he received the ball facing forward and moved inside in search of the space between the full-back and the inside midfielder, forcing Basel’s defence to make decisions.

Seven minutes later, he produced another dangerous run. This time, he dribbled infield and sent Sinayoko to the ground as he attempted to stop him. Sinayoko was among the Basel players who struggled most against the persistence of the England winger.

Gordon ended that move with a shot which cleared the crossbar. Soon afterwards, he was involved again, delivering a cross towards Fermin Lopez, although the attempt fell short of its intended target.

Barcelona’s attack was clearly leaning towards its new winger during that spell, and his prominence was not accidental. Gordon was one of the team’s main sources of attacking threat, with each touch suggesting that another opportunity might develop.

His movement also contributed to the wider shape of the side. Gordon finished the first half with 41 ball interventions, twice as many as Raphinha managed while playing in the attacking role. The figures underlined the extent of his involvement during his first 45 minutes for the club.

Although his influence was strongest during the opening quarter of an hour, Gordon remained active afterwards. He continued to offer passing options for Marc Bernal and Xavi Espart, the pair tasked with controlling Barcelona’s midfield during the first half.

The performance came in a pre-season setting and represents only the beginning of Gordon’s time at the club, but his opening impression was positive. He was replaced at half-time by Hamza Abdelkarim.

Gordon arrived only seven days earlier and was still carrying the effects of his World Cup involvement in his legs. Even so, Flick has already entrusted him with a starting role as Barcelona wait for Lamine Yamal to regain full fitness and for Deco to resolve the situation surrounding the number nine position.

There is still much to assess, but Gordon has wasted little time in making his presence felt at Barcelona.