A man sold by Newcastle this summer currently has more assists than Gordon at his new club.
Newcastle have had an incredible season thus far. Their drop from qualifying for the Champions League last season to ninth place in the Premier League has been dramatic.
Granted, the Magpies have experienced their fair share of injuries this season, with several first-team players missing several games.
Despite the number of injuries they’ve had this season, they should have had far more quality in their squad depth to finish higher than mid-table.
There is little doubt that their goals at the outset of the Premier League season would have included at least the Europa League; nevertheless, if things continue as they are, they may not make it to Europe at all.
The signings made after Eddie Howe’s hiring have enabled the squad to make critical improvements while also forming bonds between each team member, allowing players to bond and gel together.
However, one signing made by Howe in January 2023 is still striving to establish consistency.
Anthony Gordon’s season in numbers so far
Anthony Gordon was signed for a reported amount of £45 million in January 2023, and many believed Everton had pulled off a coup by securing such a high price.
Prior to joining the Magpies, the winger played 18 games for Everton in the 2022/23 season, scoring three goals.
Which, when compared to the previous season, is far from the excellence he demonstrated. Gordon made 40 appearances for the Toffees in 2021/22, scoring seven goals.
Although these are not the best stats, they are far superior to what he achieved in the 2022/23 season.
These figures alone were enough to cause concern among Premier League fans, with many thinking that Newcastle had been stolen by Everton.
His poor form persisted into the second part of 2022/23, when he played for Newcastle. Despite 16 appearances in the Premier League, he only scored one goal.
✍️ We are delighted to announce the signing on Anthony Gordon on a long-term deal!
Welcome to Newcastle United, @anthonygordon! ⚫️⚪️
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 29, 2023
This terrible second half of the season demonstrated why many believed Everton had made the right move by trading their academy graduate.
However, he has been in good form this season (2023/24). He’s played 36 games and scored eight goals.
Although this is the most prolific season of the 23-year-old’s career, he still has fewer assists (7) than a Newcastle player transferred for £25 million in the summer transfer window.
Allan Saint-Maximin’s season in numbers so far
After leaving Tyneside for pastures new a few months ago, Allan Saint-Maximin is already excelling at his new club.
He joined Al-Ahli like many other talents in Saudi Arabia and has since become an important member of the club. So much so that the France international has accumulated more assists (9) while with the Saudi Pro League club.
Saint-Maximin became a ‘cult hero’ after joining Newcastle for over £16 million. Although he wasn’t the most consistent player in Tyneside, as evidenced by his 34 goal contributions in 124 games, the winger did have the occasional moment of brilliance.
Upon leaving the Magpies, he wrote a heartfelt message to fans that stated: “I fell for Newcastle, I had great opportunities to leave during dark days, but that was too late, I was already in love, I wanted, I needed, I had to stay for helping my team to save the club from Premier League relegation because it meant the world to me.”
⚽️ GOOOALLL
Solomon Kvirkveila marque contre son camp sur un centre de Allan Saint-Maximin !
Al Okhdood 1 – 1 Al Ahli
pic.twitter.com/bdaAkKr3eu— SPL 🇸🇦 (@ActuSPL) February 16, 2024
“Of course, during those terrible days, people may have had their doubts, but I always believed in this club, and look where we are now; it’s simply stunning. I’m leaving Newcastle as it should have been, and that’s my most important prize because I was a part of it.”
Despite his somewhat obscure status at the club, his enthusiasm and ambition to wear the black and white of Newcastle was unparalleled.
So it’s encouraging to see him re-establishing himself in a new league, and who knows, perhaps he’ll return to Europe in the near future.
