Anthony Gordon is ‘showing he belongs’ at the highest level, England said captain Harry Kane after the winger continued his excellent form for his country at home Victory away from home by 2-0 against the Czech Republic.
Gordon was on hand last Saturday as England suffered a 3-2 defeat by Spain at Wembley in a thrilling UEFA Nations League inauguration of the Three Lions.
And it was Barcelona who broke the deadlock on Tuesday as Thomas Tuchel’s men hit back in Prague, meeting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s superb right-wing cross with a angled header less than two minutes into the second half to put England ahead against a Czech side that had Pavel Sulc sent off in the first half.
That goal made it three in Gordon’s last three appearances for England, the former Newcastle United man putting them ahead in a 2-1 defeat by Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
Kane doubled England’s lead to put the game beyond doubt with his 123rd senior international goal.
But the Bayern Munich talisman reserved praise for Gordon when he spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after the game.
“He’s showing he belongs at the highest level, for Barcelona and England,” Kane said.
“His performances in the last two games have been some of the best he’s ever played in an England shirt and I think he just enjoys putting the shirt on and being one of the main men in the team.
“He is an important player for us and he showed it during the World Cup.”
Gordon regularly combined well on the left with former Newcastle team-mate Lewis Hall.
Both Hall and Alexander-Arnold were omitted from the World Cup squad before being withdrawn for the first international break of the new season.
And Tuchel was impressed with the performances of both full-backs.
Speaking on ITV, Tuchel said of the pair: “Both good. Trent liked the position in the second half more than the first. Lewis did excellent at the other end.
“Credit to all of them because they deserved it and now it’s important that we relax and enjoy the night, have a good recovery and then prepare for Croatia.”
Real Madrid defender Alexander-Arnold’s absence from England’s squad with Tuchel has regularly drawn criticism.
Before Tuesday’s game, Alexander-Arnold’s last appearance for his country was against Andorra in a World Cup qualifier in June last year.
In further praise for his display on his return, Tuchel added to 5Live: “He did very well. He had an excellent assist. Overall, like everyone (he) was professional, top attitude and decisive action.”
