Anthony Gordon has been praised for his response to a question about the online negativity around England’s performances at Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate’s side will face Slovakia in the last-16 on Sunday after topping Group C ahead of Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia.
But after scoring just two goals in three games, many fans have been critical of their efforts.
In fact, England were booed by their own supporters following Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia as empty cups were thrown at Southgate, who made his feelings known after the full-time whistle.
“I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive a similar reaction. I’m very proud of the players for the way they handle it,” Southgate said in his post-match press conference.
“The players kept composure in a game when they have come into it with a really challenging environment. It’s taken me back to days when I was playing for England.”
Southgate added: “I’m not going to back away from it. I understand the narrative towards me, better for me than it being towards them. It’s creating an unusual atmosphere to operate in.”
Much has been said of the ongoing criticism. Harry Kane wasn’t best pleased with the level of criticism aimed at him and his England teammates.
But winger Anthony Gordon believes England “need to perform and give people what they want to see” if they want the criticism to stop.
When asked about the criticism in a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game, he said: “I don’t really care about stuff like that, I actually think of it in a positive way.”
He added: “If people are being negative it’s only because they expect a lot from you, which is a positive thing. If we want that to stop, we just need to perform and give people what they want to see.”
Here’s how fans on social media reacted to Gordon’s latest comments.
One said: “Only player I’ve seen so far who gets it. Has to start on Sunday,” while another commented: “Putting aside the troubling reality that he doesn’t know how to ride a bike, this bloke is the absolute boy.”
A third wrote: “My opinion on him has done a full 360 recently. Get him on the pitch at the Euros then get him at Liverpool too. Unreal player and mentality.”
A fourth said: “I love his mentality,” and a fifth added: “He’s so intelligent and mature. We need Anthony Gordon to start on Sunday. Especially as he knows how to score against Dubravka.”
Many have called on Southgate to start Gordon after such an impressive campaign for Newcastle United.
“I just like to try my best and control the controllables,” Gordon added. “I think if I train to the very best of my ability, do the best I can every day, that’s my way of giving him a headache in terms of selection, and the rest I can’t control.
“Try my best and make selection as hard for him as I possibly can. When or if I’m needed, I’ll be more than ready.”