Newcastle United have thrived since the PIF takeover of 2021, with the transfer business under Eddie Howe more or less on the money.
Indeed, the Magpies have got bang for their buck, with Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Sven Botman (injuries aside), all worth significantly more than they were paid for and playing instrumental roles in qualifying for the Champions League or performing within it.
Injuries did dominate throughout the 2023/24 season, pulling Newcastle away from European qualification, but there was one man who exceeded expectations above all others. Gordon thrived.
Anthony Gordon’s 2023/24 season
Gordon was crowned Newcastle’s Player of the Season last year after an exceptional campaign, posting 12 goals and 11 assists across all competitions and being hailed for his “unbelievable” performances by teammate Guimaraes
He’d struggled to settle after signing from Everton for £45m in January 2023 but has since gone from strength to strength and earned attention from Liverpool during the off-season, with a deal worth £75m almost being completed before United found alternative means to combat their PSR problem.
Newcastle will be delighted that he still sits on the books, having scored during his side’s draw against Bournemouth in August, averaging 2.7 key passes and 5.3 successful duels per game (Sofascore) and entering a regular role for England’s national set-up.
With 13 goals since the start of last season, Gordon is starting to look like quite the prolific presence. Although, there’s actually a former Newcastle star sold after Gordon moved to Tyneside who has outscored him since – and in the Premier League too.