NEWCASTLE UNITED’S in-form Anthony Gordon has revealed the secrets behind his success – and what he wants to do after football.
The 23-year-old winger joined the Magpies from Everton in a £45million deal in January 2023.
After a tricky start, he has blossomed this term since leaving his boyhood club and is now aiming for a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Gordon has scored 11 goals and produced eight assists this season for Newcastle and that led to him making his international debut against Brazil last month.
This week he appeared on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, with Gary Neville.
And the Liverpudlian explained his desire to go into psychology after hanging up his boots – despite previously hinting at a shock career change into photography.
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Gordon said: “I was speaking to some close friends about this [leadership] recently, because I feel my calling after football may have something to do with that – whether that be through football and management, or through the psychology route.
“That may be my end goal – I’m not too sure yet, but I’m so invested in that stuff that it surely has to come to fruition at some point.
“As a footballer, I lead by example rather than being a big speaker, I’m very quiet in the dressing room.”
He then explained how he starts preparing for games two days in advance with meditation and visualisation.
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Gordon said: “My preparation for a match will start two days before – three days will be set out to the minute. Thursday night, I’m fully switched on.
“I try not to think too much about the game, it’s more so that I do a lot of meditation, visualisation, so that if a chance comes I feel like I’ve already lived it – all I have to do then is be present and trust my ability rather than overthink it.
“I’ll visualise my opponent – I know what they’re going to do, what their habits will be. If I’m playing against a full-back who’s running – if he does a one-two around me, I’m going to put myself in that position of being tired and getting back, so that in the game it’s a lot easier.”
He continued: “It [preparation] is more of a coping mechanism for how to handle pressure of playing.
“That’s where the meditation and visualisation just allows me to react from a higher perspective than my own emotions. Being emotional is not the best – it’s no good in sports.
“It’s not how you’d perceive it to be with your legs crossed, it’s just sitting in a room on your own, with no noise if possible, closing your eyes and getting in touch with your body through breathing, and letting the game run.
“I start by arriving at the stadium, going through the warm-up, through the game, and ultimately trying to see how I want to feel after that game – and what I need to do to achieve that.”
And despite his Everton roots, Gordon revealed that he has drawn inspiration from a Liverpool legend.
He added: “My confidence comes from my preparation. I don’t know where it comes from, I wouldn’t say anyone round me is anything like that.
“I just love learning stuff, and throughout my years growing up, I’ve taken a liking to learning about psychology.
“There may be people who do the same thing as me, there may be loads who just haven’t spoken about it.
“Some footballers like to think less, just turn up and play and trust their instincts. I just love the mindset of getting myself in that place before I’m already there.
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“I saw Mo Salah talk about it – that’s where I took even more interest, because I see him as an absolute machine and a winner.
“People like that, you’re not going to go too far wrong following what they do.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
