Anthony Gordon has put the mood inside England's camp front and centre. The winger said it is the best group he has been part of “by a country mile”, and his own numbers show why Thomas Tuchel keeps leaning on him. Gordon has 2 assists in 4 World Cup appearances, has played 269 minutes, and won the decisive penalty that Harry Kane converted against Mexico.

England's camp and Gordon's view of it

Gordon was blunt about what he thinks is powering the run. “Camplife is amazing. I am absolutely loving it. We have got an unbelievable group, the best England group I have been a part of by a country mile, in terms of chemistry, in terms of connection, not just on the pitch but off the pitch,” he said.

He also pointed to standards inside the squad. “in terms of standards off the pitch, we are holding each other accountable, which is really important for any team that wants to be successful.” That is a fairly direct answer to anyone looking for a hidden explanation. Gordon is describing a squad that looks connected and self-policing, and he is doing it as one of the players who has become more important within it.

Gordon's growing influence in attack

The output is not just talk. Gordon's 2 assists in 4 appearances are the most obvious sign of his influence, and his 269 minutes suggest he is being trusted in matches that have needed him, not just used as a late spare option. His 6.99 rating across those games is steady rather than spectacular, but the key actions have come at useful moments.

That includes the late turnaround against the Norway team he helped swing with two assists for Kane, and the Mexico game in which he won the penalty that Kane finished. England also played over 40 minutes with 10 men against Mexico, which made Gordon's willingness to keep driving at the game more valuable.

Gordon's next point was about the detail he is trying to add. “I love finishing, it's a big part of my game, I want to be a goalscorer. The only way I can truly get to where I want to be is by practising every single day. The more practice allows you to become free in the mind on game day.”

He says he has been learning from Kane too. “I have been speaking to H (Kane) and trying to gain as much knowledge as I possibly can because he can do it on both feet, doesn't matter the angle, doesn't matter off his touch, the ball finds a way into the net. I have been trying to pick up a little bit off him.”

That is the sharper edge to Gordon's role now. He is already affecting games, and he is also trying to turn that into more end product. Against Mexico and against Norway, the decisive actions were there. The next England games will tell us whether that becomes a habit rather than a strong spell.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →