{
  "id": 9540462,
  "title": "Gordon says England should stick to their own style",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/gordon-says-england-should-stick-to-their-own-style-9540462",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T09:33:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/09/24/england-should-play-to-strengths-instead-of-copying-spain-s-template-says-gordon"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Newcastle United midfielder Anthony Gordon has expressed his belief that England should abandon efforts to emulate Spain's possession-focused football style. Following England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina in July, manager Thomas Tuchel faced criticism for stating that possession was not in the English DNA, akin to Spain, where a passing-heavy approach is instilled at every level. Gordon, who transferred to Spanish club Barcelona from Newcastle United last May, concurred with Tuchel's assessment and commented on Wednesday about England's inability to replicate Spain's game. The 25-year-old stated that culturally, cultural strength like Spain's isn't something England possesses and is unsure whether it can be taught. Playing in Spain, Gordon could provide a firsthand account of their possession-based football. Gordon voiced his opinion ahead of England's Nations League match against Spain on Saturday, hinting that while improvements are possible, playing to England's strengths, which include physicality, direct play, and counterattacks, might be more effective. England will face the Czech Republic and Croatia before playing the Czechs again at home in the upcoming fixtures of the Nations League group, which will conclude in November.",
  "summary": "Anthony Gordon agreed with Thomas Tuchel that England lacked Spain’s strength in controlling possession, but questioned whether that style could work for England.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Tuchel seeks tonic to England World Cup ‘scar’ in Spain showdown",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/tuchel-seeks-tonic-to-england-world-cup-scar-in-spain-showdown",
        "published": "2026-09-24T01:41:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "England should stop trying to replicate Spain - Gordon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/england-should-stop-trying-to-replicate-spain-gordon",
        "published": "2026-09-24T05:05:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Tuchel seeks tonic to England World Cup 'scar' in Spain showdown",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/tuchel-seeks-tonic-to-england-world-cup-scar-in-spain-showdown-9498696",
        "published": "2026-09-24T05:46:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "England should stop trying to replicate Spain - Gordon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/england-should-stop-trying-to-replicate-spain-gordon-9509838",
        "published": "2026-09-24T07:06:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Tuchel seeks tonic to England World Cup ‘scar’ in Spain showdown",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/tuchel-seeks-tonic-to-england-world-cup-scar-in-spain-showdown-9521829",
        "published": "2026-09-24T07:26:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}