Anthony Gordon has made an immediate impact at Barcelona after joining from Newcastle United in a £70m deal this summer, providing four assists in his first five appearances despite still awaiting his first goal for the club. The England winger, who became only the second English player to join Barcelona permanently after Gary Lineker in 1986, has slotted into the left-wing role previously occupied by loanee Marcus Rashford and impressed both on and off the pitch, delivering his club welcome speech in Spanish and Catalan.

Gordon's move initially raised eyebrows given a modest Premier League record last season – six goals and two assists in 26 games for a Newcastle side that finished 12th – but he excelled in the Champions League, scoring ten goals in twelve appearances, behind only Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane. Barcelona sporting director Deco said Gordon's style suited manager Hansi Flick's approach better than Rashford's, and Flick himself praised Gordon's link-up play, including two assists within four minutes on his league debut against Elche, where he chose to set up Fermin Lopez rather than shoot himself.