England star Anthony Gordon has shockingly admitted that he's only performed at "50 per cent" on the international stage, despite featuring in all of Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squads so far. The Newcastle United winger, who dazzled during last month’s 5-0 World Cup qualifying demolition of Serbia, has been one of the standout names in England’s recent squads. But while giving a brutally honest assessment of his form, Gordon insisted there’s “much more to come” from him in an England shirt.
Gordon yet to fire on all cylinders
Gordon admitted that while he’s thriving for his club, he hasn’t yet replicated that impact on the international stage. The forward, who has already racked up five caps and 669 minutes under Tuchel, believes he’s only scratching the surface of what he can do for his country. The fixture against Serbia in Belgrade saw England virtually seal their 2026 World Cup qualification, with Gordon’s pace and work rate tearing the defence apart down the left flank. But the former Everton man is refusing to rest on his laurels, instead setting his sights on consistency and improvement.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportGordon: Hungry & humble
Talking to reporters, Gordon said: "One performance is not enough. I've probably been at 50 per cent in an England shirt, to be honest. I'm nowhere near where I can get to, but I'm feeling more comfortable every time I play. I'm looking forward to performing like that more often. I probably should've been putting those performances in a little bit earlier, but I felt I played really well in Serbia, and I'm looking to kick on from there."
'No one’s safe' – Bellingham’s absence a warning shot
Gordon isn’t taking his England spot for granted. A fit again Jude Bellingham’s surprise omission from the latest squad has served as a brutal reminder that no one is untouchable, not even the biggest names. Gordon said that reality fuels his hunger every time he pulls on the shirt.
"The moment you start thinking like that (that you've got a place in the team), then you've probably got a problem," he said. "At this level, you see the squad's changing all the time, players come in, players leave. You almost have to be a bit paranoid that you're not going to get in, because it pushes you even further.
"You've always got to challenge yourself, because the lads you are competing with are always at the highest level, that's the level we're playing at. So I never think that I'm nailed in. Obviously, it's a massive goal [to be an England regular] and one that I am pushing for."
Getty Images SportWorld Cup dream fuelling Newcastle star
With the 2026 World Cup in North America drawing ever closer, Gordon knows every performance counts. His dream is to cement himself as an England regular and book a seat on the plane when the Three Lions head to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Before that, he’ll have a chance to make a statement in England’s upcoming fixtures: a friendly clash with Wales on Friday, followed by a World Cup qualifier against Latvia just three days later.