adminBarcelona star Anthony Gordon has opened up on the key moment that transformed his career, revealing how a difficult spell away from Everton helped shape the mindset that eventually took him to the top of European football.
The 25-year-old winger completed a high-profile €80 million move from Newcastle United to Barcelona this summer, becoming the Catalan club’s biggest signing of the transfer window. It marks another major milestone in a journey that began in Everton’s academy after he joined the Toffees from Liverpool as a youngster.
Gordon made 78 senior appearances for Everton, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists before sealing his move to Newcastle in 2023. But long before his rise to prominence, he endured a frustrating loan spell at Preston North End, where he featured only 11 times and played just over 500 minutes.
Looking back, Gordon believes that period became the turning point in his career.
Speaking to El Pais, the England international explained that while talent is important, mentality is what separates elite players from the rest.
“At this level, most players have similar ability, apart from exceptional talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri,” Gordon said. “The biggest difference is mentality. I’ve seen incredible footballers who never fulfilled their potential because they didn’t have the right mindset. For me, mental strength is even more important than talent.”
The Barcelona forward revealed that the disappointing Preston loan forced him to rethink everything.
“When I was around 19, I realised my mentality wasn’t strong enough,” he explained. “I was talented, but I wasn’t consistent. After the Preston spell, I promised myself I wouldn’t experience that situation again. I wanted to play in the Premier League and avoid dropping back down.”
Returning to Everton for pre-season, Gordon began working on himself away from football. He developed a habit of reading every day, studying videos and focusing on personal growth.
“That was when I started taking self-development seriously,” he said. “I wanted to understand more about life and learn new things.”
Books became a major influence in his journey, with Gordon naming Winning and Relentless by Tim Grover among his favourites. Unlike many readers, however, he has little interest in fiction.
“I only read books that help me improve,” he said. “I read to stimulate my mind and learn. If I want entertainment, I prefer films.”
Gordon admitted that his love of reading makes him something of an outsider in modern football.
“I feel like I have an old soul,” he said. “My personality probably fits better in the 1990s. Today, there is too much focus on social media and material things, but that’s not really me.”
The former Newcastle star also explained that many supporters misunderstand his personality because of the fierce attitude he shows on the pitch.
“People often confuse the footballer with the person,” Gordon admitted. “When I play, I become very intense and aggressive because I want to win. But away from football, I’m actually calm and quiet.”
For Gordon, one difficult loan spell at Preston became the catalyst for a complete transformation — a change in mindset that helped carry him from Everton’s academy to Barcelona’s biggest summer signing.
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