Telling response - Eddie Howe admits what Anthony Gordon dislikes at Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes are both fighting for the same position at Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe has revealed Anthony Gordon does not enjoy playing on the right flank when asked about the Harvey Barnes dilemma.
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Newcastle United are blessed with two left-wingers who have represented England. Gordon and Barnes arrived within six months of each other in 2023 and have competed for a first-team spot ever since.
Howe has preferred Gordon starting on the left flank - despite him not scoring a Premier League goal from open play for almost a year. Meanwhile, Barnes - who came on for Gordon against Crystal Palace at the weekend and changed the game - has scored seven goals alone in 2025-26 despite completing a full 90 minutes just twice.
Eddie Howe gives telling Anthony Gordon response
When asked by NewcastleWorld why Barnes is always the one who must shift onto the right flank, Howe alarmingly let slip that Gordon does not like the position. He said: “I don't think Anthony enjoys playing on the right. I think Harvey is a lot more open to it and quite enjoys the freedom that the position gives him with our way of playing.
“Of course, that doesn't mean I can't play Anthony out there but if a player doesn't really want to play in that position I think it's a difficult one to force a player to do it because I don't think you'll get the same kind of performances.”
Eddie Howe on Harvey Barnes qualities
On the attributes that Barnes brings, Howe added: “Harvey is a player that's played across the midfield. He's very good in the lines and between spaces so I’m quite happy to play Harvey there.
“I think his number one position is the left and I know where he would ideally like to play but he's a goal threat off both sides and the stats would back that up. He's been really good off both flanks this year. He's just a very good all-round player and he turned the game for us on Sunday.”