Anthony Gordon wants to get into psychology when he hangs up his boots.
The Newcastle star has just turned 23 and recently joined the England senior team after playing for the Under-21s. But it seems he already has an old head on young shoulders.
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Gordon spoke to Manchester United legend Gary Neville on the latest version of The Overlap, with the pair walking around Whitley Bay, near Newcastle, as they took a deep dive into the youngster’s career.
As well as revealing his dream guests would involve Donald Trump, the former Everton star also revealed what he would like to do in life after his football career – and it’s not a common choice.
On the concept of leadership in football, he said: “I spoke about it recently to some close friends, because I think my vocation for football may have something to do with it – whether through football and management, or through the psychology course.
“Maybe that’s my end goal – I’m not sure yet, but I’m so invested in this sort of thing that it will surely have to come to fruition at some point.
“As a footballer I lead by example rather than being a great speaker, I am very quiet in the dressing room.”
Gordon was spotted learning how to take professional photos ahead of Newcastle’s 4-0 win over Tottenham earlier this month.
However, it seems psychology, rather than photography, is Gordon’s name – so much so that it is having a positive impact on his match preparations.
“My preparation for a match will start two days before – three days will be sorted out to the minute,” he said. “Thursday night I’m completely lit.
4
“I try not to think too much about the game, it’s more about doing a lot of meditation, visualization, so that if the opportunity arises, I feel like I’ve already experienced it – it doesn’t bother me. All you have to do is be present and trust my abilities rather than thinking about it too much.
“I will visualize my opponent – I know what he is going to do, what his habits will be.
“If I play against a running full-back, if he does a one-two around me, I will put myself in this position of fatigue and retreat, so that in the game it will be much easier.”
He continued: “He [preparation] Rather, it is a coping mechanism for handling the pressure of the game.
“This is where meditation and visualization allow me to respond from a higher perspective than my own emotions. Being emotional is not the best – it serves no purpose in the sport.
“It’s not how you would perceive it with crossed legs, it’s just sitting alone in a room, quiet if possible, closing your eyes and getting in touch with your body through breathing and letting the game unfold.
4
“I start by arriving at the stadium, by warming up, by the match and finally by trying to figure out how I want to feel after this match – and what I need to do to achieve that.”
Although he played for Everton at youth and senior level, it was a star at rivals Liverpool who inspired him to read the psychology behind the success of sports stars.
He said: “My confidence comes from my preparation. I don’t know where it comes from, I wouldn’t say anyone around me is like that.
“I love learning things, and throughout my growing years I have taken a liking to learning psychology.
4
“There may be people who are doing the same thing as me, there may be many who just haven’t talked about it.
“Some footballers like to think less, present themselves, play and trust their instincts. I love the idea of putting myself in that place before I’m already there.
“I saw [Mohamed] Salah talks about it – that’s where I got even more interested, because I see him as an absolute machine and a winner.
“People like that, you’re not going to go far wrong following what they do.”
Gordon has enjoyed a much-improved season following his initial half-year campaign for Newcastle after signing from Everton for £45million last January.
He has already scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in all competitions, a world away from his only goal for the Magpies last season.
Anthony Gordon wants to get into psychology when he hangs up his boots.
The Newcastle star has just turned 23 and recently joined the England senior team after playing for the Under-21s. But it seems he already has an old head on young shoulders.
4
Gordon spoke to Manchester United legend Gary Neville on the latest version of The Overlap, with the pair walking around Whitley Bay, near Newcastle, as they took a deep dive into the youngster’s career.
As well as revealing his dream guests would involve Donald Trump, the former Everton star also revealed what he would like to do in life after his football career – and it’s not a common choice.
On the concept of leadership in football, he said: “I spoke about it recently to some close friends, because I think my vocation for football may have something to do with it – whether through football and management, or through the psychology course.
“Maybe that’s my end goal – I’m not sure yet, but I’m so invested in this sort of thing that it will surely have to come to fruition at some point.
“As a footballer I lead by example rather than being a great speaker, I am very quiet in the dressing room.”
Gordon was spotted learning how to take professional photos ahead of Newcastle’s 4-0 win over Tottenham earlier this month.
However, it seems psychology, rather than photography, is Gordon’s name – so much so that it is having a positive impact on his match preparations.
“My preparation for a match will start two days before – three days will be sorted out to the minute,” he said. “Thursday night I’m completely lit.
4
“I try not to think too much about the game, it’s more about doing a lot of meditation, visualization, so that if the opportunity arises, I feel like I’ve already experienced it – it doesn’t bother me. All you have to do is be present and trust my abilities rather than thinking about it too much.
“I will visualize my opponent – I know what he is going to do, what his habits will be.
“If I play against a running full-back, if he does a one-two around me, I will put myself in this position of fatigue and retreat, so that in the game it will be much easier.”
He continued: “He [preparation] Rather, it is a coping mechanism for handling the pressure of the game.
“This is where meditation and visualization allow me to respond from a higher perspective than my own emotions. Being emotional is not the best – it serves no purpose in the sport.
“It’s not how you would perceive it with crossed legs, it’s just sitting alone in a room, quiet if possible, closing your eyes and getting in touch with your body through breathing and letting the game unfold.
4
“I start by arriving at the stadium, by warming up, by the match and finally by trying to figure out how I want to feel after this match – and what I need to do to achieve that.”
Although he played for Everton at youth and senior level, it was a star at rivals Liverpool who inspired him to read the psychology behind the success of sports stars.
He said: “My confidence comes from my preparation. I don’t know where it comes from, I wouldn’t say anyone around me is like that.
“I love learning things, and throughout my growing years I have taken a liking to learning psychology.
4
“There may be people who are doing the same thing as me, there may be many who just haven’t talked about it.
“Some footballers like to think less, present themselves, play and trust their instincts. I love the idea of putting myself in that place before I’m already there.
“I saw [Mohamed] Salah talks about it – that’s where I got even more interested, because I see him as an absolute machine and a winner.
“People like that, you’re not going to go far wrong following what they do.”
Gordon has enjoyed a much-improved season following his initial half-year campaign for Newcastle after signing from Everton for £45million last January.
He has already scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in all competitions, a world away from his only goal for the Magpies last season.
