Anthony Gordon Urges England to Stop Copying Spain Ahead of Wembley Clash

England can win major tournaments without trying to copy Spain, Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon has said ahead of the Three Lions’ clash with the world champions at Wembley on Saturday.

The match will be England’s first meeting since the World Cup, where Thomas Tuchel’s side reached the semi-finals before defeating France in the third-place play-off.

Gordon believes England should focus on their own strengths rather than attempting to reproduce Spain’s possession-based style.

As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, Gordon said England should embrace their identity instead of trying to imitate other footballing nations.

“We can’t keep looking at other countries and trying to be like them, because we’re not them – we’re English and we have our own strengths which they don’t have,” Gordon said.

“So maybe we start playing the way we’re good at.”

Gordon has gained first-hand experience of Spanish football since joining Barcelona from Newcastle for £69.3m in the summer.

The winger said his time in Spain had given him a different perspective on how Spanish players control matches and retain possession.

“I’m speaking from a point of view where I feel like we are trying to replicate Spain,” Gordon said.

“Because I’m in Spain, I know we have just as good players, but they have different qualities, so why are you trying to make those players the same as the Spanish players?”

Gordon also questioned whether Spain’s possession-heavy approach could simply be taught to another team, arguing that it is deeply connected to the way Spanish players are developed.

“It’s not in the English DNA,” he said.

“I’m not sure it’s something that can be taught because now I think, playing in Spain, I can speak with an educated view on the way they keep the ball is different.”

He added: “It’s the way they’re built. I don’t know whether it is something that maybe we can’t ever put a name to, but they’re definitely built different.”

Gordon also reflected on England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, describing the aftermath as one of the lowest moments of his career.

“I’ve never felt worse,” he said.

However, the Barcelona winger believes the disappointment could eventually serve as motivation for England in future tournaments.

“The scar doesn’t have to be a negative one because it might lead us to victory in the next tournaments,” Gordon said.vvEngland can win major tournaments without trying to copy Spain, Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon has said ahead of the Three Lions’ clash with the world champions at Wembley on Saturday.

The match will be England’s first meeting since the World Cup, where Thomas Tuchel’s side reached the semi-finals before defeating France in the third-place play-off.

Gordon believes England should focus on their own strengths rather than attempting to reproduce Spain’s possession-based style.

As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, Gordon said England should embrace their identity instead of trying to imitate other footballing nations.

“We can’t keep looking at other countries and trying to be like them, because we’re not them – we’re English and we have our own strengths which they don’t have,” Gordon said.

“So maybe we start playing the way we’re good at.”

Gordon has gained first-hand experience of Spanish football since joining Barcelona from Newcastle for £69.3m in the summer.

The winger said his time in Spain had given him a different perspective on how Spanish players control matches and retain possession.

“I’m speaking from a point of view where I feel like we are trying to replicate Spain,” Gordon said.

“Because I’m in Spain, I know we have just as good players, but they have different qualities, so why are you trying to make those players the same as the Spanish players?”

Gordon also questioned whether Spain’s possession-heavy approach could simply be taught to another team, arguing that it is deeply connected to the way Spanish players are developed.

“It’s not in the English DNA,” he said.

“I’m not sure it’s something that can be taught because now I think, playing in Spain, I can speak with an educated view on the way they keep the ball is different.”

He added: “It’s the way they’re built. I don’t know whether it is something that maybe we can’t ever put a name to, but they’re definitely built different.”

Gordon also reflected on England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, describing the aftermath as one of the lowest moments of his career.

“I’ve never felt worse,” he said.

However, the Barcelona winger believes the disappointment could eventually serve as motivation for England in future tournaments.

“The scar doesn’t have to be a negative one because it might lead us to victory in the next tournaments,” Gordon said.