Barcelona's Tactical Choice: Gordon Over Rashford
Barcelona sporting director Deco has drawn a clear tactical line between Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford, insisting the former Newcastle winger simply fits Hansi Flick’s vision better.
Rashford, who spent last season on loan at the Camp Nou, delivered 14 goals in all competitions and helped Barca to a La Liga and Copa del Rey double. The club held an option to buy the Manchester United forward permanently for £30.3m (35m euros) at the end of his 12‑month spell.
They walked away.
Instead of triggering the clause for the 28-year-old, Barcelona allowed Rashford to return to Old Trafford and threw their weight – and their money – behind Gordon and Manchester City midfielder Rodri, the two headline arrivals of their summer rebuild.
Gordon joined from Newcastle in a deal worth more than 80m euros (£69.3m), later admitting he had believed since he was “three years of age” that he would one day play for Barcelona. Deco says that conviction mattered, but not as much as the way he plays.
Speaking to Catalan radio station RAC1 on Thursday, Deco was generous about Rashford’s impact yet ruthless in explaining the club’s decision.
“We are extremely grateful to Rashford,” he said. “He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony's. His style fits with what the coach is looking for.”
That “idea of play” has become central under Flick. Barca wanted more intensity, more running, more edge from wide areas. Deco admitted last season exposed a glaring issue whenever Raphinha was missing.
“In the case of Gordon, we saw that he was one of the figures we needed,” Deco said. “When Raphinha wasn't on the pitch, the team lost energy and with him we could solve it. The big advantage we had is that the player wanted to come and he was able to put on pressure [at Newcastle to be allowed to leave].”
Barcelona did not land on Gordon by chance. Deco described a long trawl through the winger market, with the Premier League’s financial muscle making most deals a non-starter.
“We had a clear idea what we're looking for,” he said. “We needed more intensity. We analysed a lot of wingers. Signing someone from the Premier League is almost impossible, but [Flick] was clear with what he wanted and we worked on a deal from there.”
So far, Gordon has wasted no time justifying the effort. Five appearances, four assists, and a front line that already looks sharper and more aggressive with him in it.
The numbers behind the team are just as emphatic. Barcelona have won all four of their La Liga matches, scoring 17 and conceding only two.
For Deco, the choice between Rashford and Gordon was never about sentiment. It was about a style of football Flick demands – and a winger willing, and able, to run straight into it.
