Anthony Gordon has opened up on his 'difficult' start to life with Newcastle United and admits he has got a 'big summer' ahead. The former Everton forwar has struggled for form and game-time since making the mid-season move to St James' Park.
Gordon opened his account in black-and-white with the opening goal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, poking Elliot Anderson's low cross beyond Kepa. The 22-year-old, who will represent England's under-21s at the European Championships next month, could not hide his delight in his celebration and later admitted the emotion was a response to a tricky time so far on Tyneside.
He told NUFC TV: "It's been so difficult because of the level I was at coming in, the level of the lads here was so much higher. I had such an uphill battle to match them, obviously I had the injury, and I always felt like I was chasing.
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"I feel like I had a lot to do, and it was hard mentally and physically. Now, I feel like I've got a big, big summer coming up to put myself in position for next year.
"I've got the under-21 Euros, so physically I'm going to be so on it like never before. Out there [today], I'm absolutely blowing!
"In this team you have to be so fit, the gaffer demands so much from the players. That's something I probably didn't expect or didn't know, but I know for next year so I'll be on it."
Gordon made his first Newcastle start in the defeat at Manchester City in March, having been cup-tied for the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United. The January signing fears playing catch-up has led to his mixed displays, but has no doubt his talent will shine through in his first full season with his new club.
The forward said: "That's also why it's been a bit difficult because I've been a bit too eager to show what I can do, and in the process of doing that probably underperformed for my level. I just need to forget that, and just focus on what I'm good at and the basics of football and my talent will show after that."
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