The question I am asking, is it wrong for me to be cheering Anthony Gordon?
When players choose to move on from Newcastle United it is a tricky one.
Although quite clearly long before last season ended it was also clear that the NUFC owners and senior staff were wanting to sell Anthony Gordon.
Indeed, Ross Wilson (I think, though could have been David Hopkinson) has admitted exactly this, that the early sale of Anthony Gordon was needed to get United back within the UEFA SCR limits.
There was no doubt though as well that the former Everton player was also keen to explore new horizons.
Anthony Gordon left with a choice of joining Bayern Munich or Barcelona, not the worst of decisions to have to make.
On Saturday night I was watching the England v Spain match and when Anthony Gordon outsprinted the defence and gave the keeper no chance I cheered, my son jeered. His reasoning of course is that the now Barcelona star was one of the “Rats” who deserted us this summer.
Maybe Anthony Gordon was/is a “Rat” but he is a “Rat” I am still cheering.
On this Sunday morning as I think about it, I guess there are a few reasons as to why.
I don’t think Bruno Guimaraes is suddenly a terrible person because after four and a half years of brilliance and full commitment to Newcastle United, he then decided to leave as he is knocking on 29 to try and win stuff with the reigning Premier League champions and losing Champions League finalists. However, no way I am going to be still cheering on anybody who joins Arsenal and that has extended somehow to when Bruno is playing for his national side as well. I found it hilarious that they came within a whisker of losing to Australia on Friday, only in the fifth minute of added time did Rayan rescue a draw. The former United captain had started for Brazil.
With Sandro Tonali it is a different scenario. I find it very difficult to have any respect for him at all now. At least Bruno went to Arsenal to try and win things, why did Tonali go to Tottenham? He might have more than doubled his wages but he knew he was joining a failing chaotic club, no way did Sandro Tonali believe he was going there to win stuff. I thought it was hilarious that Tonali followed up a winless Premier League start with Tottenham by starting and losing with Italy to Belgium (and Matias Fernandez-Pardo) in recent days. The fans in Rome booing Sandro Tonali (and his teammates) off, I suppose at least he is used to that these days!!
With Anthony Gordon I think there are factors running in his favour, as to why I feel I can still cheer him.
At Barcelona he is out of sight, out of mind. Basically I don’t really think about him much and if I do, it doesn’t really bother me. Then you have the fact he plays for England. I know it isn’t Newcastle United but I do support England as I suppose you might say my second team. Although a very distant second team.
So Anthony Gordon, I will keep on cheering you, when playing for England anyway.
Although if you decide to come back from Barcelona any time and sign for one of the usual suspects, that will be a very different matter.