Anthony Gordon backs Thomas Tuchel over 'DNA' debate and urges England to stop copying Spain
Anthony Gordon has backed Thomas Tuchel's controversial assertion that controlling games through possession is not in the "DNA" of English players, urging the national team to embrace their traditional identity rather than trying to replicate world champions Spain.
Tuchel faced significant criticism following England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, where Gordon gave the Three Lions the lead before the manager switched to a back five. The defensive retreat invited relentless pressure, culminating in an equaliser from Enzo Fernandez and a stoppage-time winner by Lautaro Martinez.
Following the exit, Tuchel claimed controlling games through possession is "maybe not in our DNA like it is in Spanish DNA or in Argentinian-Brazilian DNA." Speaking ahead of England's Nations League clash with Spain at Wembley, Gordon agreed with his manager's assessment after gaining direct experience in La Liga following his £69.3m summer move to Barcelona from Newcastle.
"England, as a nation, we don't have that strength, like the Spanish, where we control games like they do," Gordon said at St George's Park. "It's not in us. I'm not sure it's something that can be [taught]. Playing in Spain, I can speak with an educated view on the way they keep the ball is different. It's much different than I've ever experienced playing in this country."
He added: "We, as English players, are educated the same way as the Spanish players. We know how to keep possession, but it's the decision-making of certain players in Spain which is just not a natural thing. I even look at some of the decisions they take on the ball sometimes and think, 'I'm not sure how you've seen that'. It's the way they're built."
Gordon argued that attempting to mirror the intricate style of Spain—who dominated Argentina in the World Cup final by restricting Lionel Messi's side to zero shots on target—neglects England's native qualities.
"I'm speaking from a point of view where I feel like we are trying to replicate Spain," Gordon explained. "Because I'm in Spain, I know we have just as good players, but they have different qualities, so why are you trying to make those players the same as the Spanish players? It's important for us that we can't keep looking at other countries and trying to be like them, because we're not them. We're English and we have our own strengths, which they don't have. Maybe we start playing to what we're good at, which is play physical, play direct football, and on the counter-attack."
Reflecting on England's World Cup campaign, Gordon defended Tuchel's tactical decisions against Argentina, noting that a dramatic 10-man win against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium—following a red card for Jarell Quansah—subconsciously pushed the squad into a defensive mindset.
"We shouldn't try and blame one man who's obviously trying his best and trying to win the cup for us all," Gordon said. "As players, we could have done more to take the initiative to control the game. For me, we had the best team, we had the best players on the pitch in that semi-final, and in the last 20 minutes we didn't play the best football. That scar doesn't have to be a negative one, because it might lead us to victory in the next tournaments."