Anthony Gordon Says ‘Only One Person’ Wanted Him to Stay at Newcastle Despite Being One of Their Best Players

Former Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has opened up on the circumstances surrounding his departure from the club, claiming that only one person at St James’ Park genuinely wanted him to remain. The revelation has sparked debate among supporters, especially given Gordon’s importance to Newcastle during his time on Tyneside.

Gordon established himself as one of Newcastle’s most influential attacking players after arriving from Everton in January 2023. His pace, direct running and work ethic quickly made him a fan favourite, and he went on to become one of the standout performers in Eddie Howe’s side. During the 2023-24 campaign, Gordon enjoyed the best season of his career, contributing goals and assists while helping Newcastle compete in both domestic and European competitions. He was also named Newcastle’s Player of the Season, underlining his importance to the squad.

Despite those achievements, Gordon has suggested that support for him behind the scenes diminished as speculation over his future intensified. According to reports, the England international felt that only one individual at the club was truly pushing for him to stay. While he did not publicly identify everyone involved, many observers believe the comment reflects frustrations over Newcastle’s handling of transfer discussions and long-term planning.

The winger’s departure came as a surprise to many supporters. Newcastle had invested heavily in his development, and Gordon appeared to fit perfectly into Howe’s high-intensity system. Yet rumours linking him with several European giants continued to grow throughout the season. Clubs including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Arsenal were repeatedly mentioned as potential destinations.

Eventually, Barcelona secured Gordon’s signature in a deal reported to be worth around £70 million, ending his Newcastle career after just over three years at the club. The move represented a major step in the player’s career and fulfilled what he described as a childhood dream of playing for the Spanish giants.

What makes Gordon’s comments particularly striking is the perception that he remained one of Newcastle’s most valuable assets. Even critics who questioned aspects of his consistency acknowledged his ability to change games with his speed and attacking threat. Many supporters believed he was among the club’s best players and expected Newcastle to build around him rather than allow him to leave.

The suggestion that only one person fought to keep him raises questions about Newcastle’s internal decision-making. Some fans have interpreted the remarks as evidence that key figures within the club had already accepted his departure long before a deal was completed. Others argue that financial realities and the club’s wider squad plans may have made a sale unavoidable.

Gordon has nevertheless spoken positively about Newcastle and the impact the club had on his career. He previously acknowledged that joining the Magpies helped him grow both as a footballer and as a person, crediting the coaching staff and environment for accelerating his development.

For Newcastle supporters, Gordon’s exit remains a difficult one to accept. The winger arrived with enormous potential and ultimately delivered on much of that promise. His performances earned him international recognition with England and helped Newcastle compete at a higher level than they had experienced for years.

Whether Gordon’s claim will lead to further revelations remains to be seen. However, his comments have already reignited discussion about how Newcastle handled the transfer and whether more could have been done to keep one of their brightest talents. For many fans, the idea that only one person wanted him to stay is hard to reconcile with the impact he made on the pitch and the quality he consistently brought to the team.

As Gordon begins a new chapter in Spain, Newcastle supporters will undoubtedly continue to wonder what might have happened had the club done more to convince one of their most gifted players that his future still belonged on Tyneside.