Former Premier League midfielder Joey Barton has openly criticized Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon, accusing the winger of behaving as though he were Cristiano Ronaldo without delivering performances to justify such confidence. Speaking on the Common Sense Podcast, Barton expressed dissatisfaction with Gordon’s output this season, stating that the Newcastle attacker has been underwhelming despite continuing to feature regularly in the starting lineup. According to Barton, Gordon has been fortunate to retain his place in the team given his recent form. The ex-Manchester City and QPR player went beyond match performances, questioning Gordon’s off-field appearance and attitude. Barton suggested that the winger focuses too much on image rather than substance, implying that personal branding has overtaken football effectiveness. Barton stressed that changing hairstyles or wearing fashionable accessories does not compensate for inconsistency on the pitch. He argued that Gordon’s movement and overall influence in games have been limited, urging the former Everton man to simplify his approach and prioritize discipline and reliability. In his assessment, Barton stated that Gordon carries himself with the presence of a global football icon but lacks the on-field dominance associated with such status. He compared the winger’s aura to that of a confident women’s football star while suggesting Gordon mistakenly believes he possesses the commanding influence of Cristiano Ronaldo. The outspoken pundit also pointed out that Gordon’s position in the squad has been helped by limited competition, particularly referencing Harvey Barnes’ inability to displace him. Barton warned that Newcastle United are facing a tough battle if they hope to secure a top-six finish in the Premier League this season, emphasizing that every player must significantly raise performance levels. So far this campaign, Anthony Gordon has scored two Premier League goals and recorded one assist. In European competition, he has netted five goals in the UEFA Champions League and added one goal in the FA Cup, reflecting mixed returns across competitions.
