Anthony Gordon urges England to play to strengths instead of copying Spain

England winger Anthony Gordon has urged the national team to focus on its own tactical strengths rather than attempting to replicate Spain’s possession-based style of play. Speaking ahead of England’s UEFA Nations League match against reigning world champions Spain, the Barcelona player emphasized that the ability to control matches through intricate passing is not part of the English football DNA.

Gordon, who recently moved from Newcastle United to Barcelona, noted that his experience playing in La Liga has provided a deeper understanding of the differences between the two football cultures. He argued that while England possesses high-quality players, they have different physical and direct qualities that should be utilized instead of trying to mechanically adopt a foreign model.

The comments follow England’s recent World Cup campaign, where the team reached the semi-finals before losing 2-1 to Argentina. Gordon, who scored in that match, expressed frustration over his substitution by coach Thomas Tuchel, which saw the team shift to a more defensive formation. He suggested that the experience of that defeat could serve as a lesson to help the team find its own identity in future tournaments.