Eddie Howe responds to Anthony Gordon body language concerns amid Newcastle United agreement claim

Gordon - last season’s Player of the Year - has came under scrutiny at the beginning of the new campaign having fallen short of his usual standards.

The 23-year-old endured an unsettling summer, barely kicking a ball for England at Euro 2024 while being the subject of interest from boyhood club Liverpool when the Magpies desperately needed to raise funds in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

In attempt to reward Gordon for last season’s form and further underline his importance to Howe’s team, United have opened contract talks over an extension until 2030.

And Howe is hoping an agreement, which is reportedly close, will contribute to Gordon getting back to his best.

“We love Anthony,” said United’s head coach. “We'd love him to commit his future here. We'd love him to stay long-term at Newcastle and continue his excellent start to his career here.

“When you look at the broader piece of what he's done since he's arrived at the football club, I think he's been magnificent for us.

“We need to try and help him get back to his very best levels. And if that means signing a new contract, then I'm all for that, to help him be settled and concentrate on his football.”

Concerns from sections of the fanbase were raised about Gordon’s body language in the 3-1 defeat at Fulham. Gordon was moved over the right-hand side of attack to allow Harvey Barnes to start on the left.

Gordon, however, wasn’t the only Newcastle star to underperform with the likes of Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak also questioned.

“Anthony is still the same lad and still very, very focused on his career and performance - he wants to do well and do well for Newcastle,” Howe told NewcastleWorld.

“He, like a number of the other players, is a little bit frustrated and sometimes that frustration in a performance and game can manifest itself in various ways so we need to be mindful of that and control that ourselves.

“It wouldn’t just be Anthony, I was frustrated and I’m sure everyone else connected with Newcastle was frustrated so we just need to be mindful of how that looks.”