Anthony Gordon grateful to Eddie Howe for being left on bench for final games of season

Anthony Gordon sealed his £70m move from Newcastle United to Barcelona at the end of May.

The England winger managed to get his summer move all wrapped up before he flew out to Florida to link up with the England squad for the World Cup.

Gordon's move didn't really come as a surprise to anyone, although his destination may have after Bayern Munich were leading the way for so long.

One of the biggest indicators that Gordon's time at Newcastle was coming to an end was the fact that he played no part in the last few games of Newcastle's season despite being on the bench and being fit.

Anthony Gordon has thanked Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe said he wanted to focus on the future, meaning he wanted to assess the players he expected to be at the club next season. Gordon was clearly not one of those, and that's how it transpired.

Speaking from the England camp to the England Media Channel, Anthony Gordon has spoken of the importance of coming into the competition fully fit, and has thanked Howe for giving him every opportunity to do so by leaving him on the bench.

“He had a lot going on right until the very end (of the season). I had a different end to the season in terms of… I wasn’t playing the last couple of games.

“So I feel mentally and physically in an amazing place. I’m very, very fresh. I think it’s very important.

“I went to the last tournament, the Euros, and I picked up an injury in the second-to-last game (for Newcastle). So it was very important for me this time to come in physically fresh, and I’ve been able to do that. So I’m very grateful.”

Newcastle did well with Gordon

If I were a bitter old man, I'd make some remark about how it was probably a good thing he didn't get on the pitch with that attitude, as he probably wouldn't have put any effort in. But I wouldn't do that.

In all honesty, though, this was a great bit of business for Newcastle. Clearly Gordon's heart wasn't in it, and they managed to scoot him off the books for a tidy profit and before any animosity set in.

Gordon will likely be in action for England on Wednesday night as they get their World Cup bid underway against Croatia at 9pm.