Gordon backs himself to become Barcelona’s number nine

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Anthony Gordon believes he has the capability to play as Barcelona’s number nine this season after enjoying an impressive LaLiga debut against Elche. 

Gordon came off the bench during Barcelona’s 5-0 victory at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Sunday, and the England international wasted little time in making an impact. 

Hansi Flick’s side were already two goals to the good after strikes from Raphinha and Karim Adeyemi before Gordon came on to replace Lamine Yamal in the 65th minute. 

And just two minutes into his debut, Gordon threaded an inch-perfect pass into the path of Raphinha, who took a touch before finishing past Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro. 

Gordon was involved again for Barcelona’s fourth, unselfishly squaring for Fermin Lopez to tuck home, with the 25-year-old becoming the first player in the 21st century to register two assists on his debut in LaLiga. 

The former Newcastle United forward is one of several attacking additions at Barcelona this summer, with Adeyemi, Jesse Bisiwu and Hamza Abdelkarim also joining the club. 

But Barcelona are still actively searching for a striker after allowing both Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres to leave for the Chicago Fire and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez a reported target. 

But when asked whether he could fill the number nine position, Gordon said: “Yeah, of course, I played there last year a lot. I played really well, I thought.

“I have got different strengths to a typical number nine. I can come and go and link play. I can do it. I like to play there.”

The connection is strong. pic.twitter.com/tHyU8vtCwO

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 23, 2026

Gordon put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Barcelona in a reported €80m (£69.3m) move, following three successful years with Newcastle. 

He made 152 appearances for the Magpies in all competitions, with his 60 goal involvements for the club in that time second only to Alexander Isak (68). 

Gordon also scored 10 goals in the Champions League in 2025-26, becoming just the second Englishman to reach double figures for goals in a single campaign in the competition, after Harry Kane in 2024-25.

And he had the perfect opportunity to open his Barcelona account when he was put through on goal by Dani Olmo’s defence-splitting pass, only to square for Fermin. 

“I think it’s the right decision,” Gordon said. “If Fermin had the ball, and I was in his position, I would want him to pass. I think it’s the correct football decision.

“We’re a team, it’s not about me scoring.”

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