Gordon: Barcelona locker room humility surprised me; Pedri is my most surprising teammate

Gordon was interviewed by RAC1, where he discussed his adaptation since joining Barcelona. This article is the first part of the exclusive interview.

How are you doing with learning Spanish or Catalan?

I'm trying my best to learn. For Spanish, I can manage now and have improved a lot. I think I'll soon be able to do interviews or similar things in Spanish. I'm a bit shy, and that's probably why I haven't really tried yet. But if I seriously commit to it, I think I could. It's just that I'm still a bit shy at the moment.

Do you speak any Catalan? Are you learning Catalan now too?

I've had three classes.

Three classes a week?

No, no, only three classes in total.

Oh, only three classes.

Yes, because I'm also learning Spanish at the same time. So I have to learn a bit of Spanish, and then a bit of Catalan.

So what Catalan phrases do you know now?

Molt bé (very good). Com va (how's it going).

Com va, home (How's it going, mate).

Bon dia (good morning). Bona nit (good night). Visca el Barcelona (Long live Barcelona).

Visca el Barcelona. (laughs)

I think that's about it.

What about your name, for example?

Jo em dic Anthony (My name is Anthony).

Besides learning Catalan, how have your first few weeks been since arriving in Barcelona?

Very good. I really like it here. Everything is still very new to me; I've only been here for a month, but it already feels like home. My family also loves living here, so I'm very happy.

You just joined this summer, but Barcelona fans already love you. Did you expect such a warm welcome from Barcelona fans?

No, not at all. The fans here have cheered for players like Messi, Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Iniesta, and now they're chanting my name. That's something I'm very grateful for.

When I hear them chant my name, I'm truly, truly happy. I'm just trying my best now, hoping that every time I wear this jersey, I can repay them for the love they've given me.

When exactly did you find out that Barcelona wanted to sign you this summer? What was your reaction then? Was it easy to convince you? Tell us about it.

At first, I didn't really believe it. I thought it might just be rumors. (laughs)

When was the first time someone mentioned Barcelona to you?

My agent team told me that Barcelona might have some interest in me.

Around May or June?

I can't remember exactly when. Maybe May, because I feel like everything developed very quickly after that. When my agent told me, I was just like, "Okay, okay, fine, fine." I didn't take it too seriously because I didn't think it was real.

Later, I spoke with Flick on the phone, and at that moment, I realized it was real, so I started to get very excited. From my first conversation with him, I knew he would be a very suitable coach for me. But honestly, whoever was on the other end of the phone, I would have come to Barcelona.

Is it a dream for you?

A very big dream.

Does the transfer fee Barcelona paid for you create any pressure?

No, I don't care about that. It doesn't put pressure on me. Given the current state of world football, that number could be much higher. Transfer fees in football are really crazy now. 80 million euros, I remember it was that much. I just enjoy playing football. When you're a kid, you don't think about these things at all. Only when you grow up do you start thinking about more and more things. So no, that's not something I would care about.

One more thing. During the World Cup, when you were with the England team, did you talk to Rashford about your situation? I don't know if it would have been a bit awkward then, because he had just left Barcelona, and you were preparing to come to Barcelona.

No, because that's our job, you know. None of us are new to football; everyone knows how football works. From what he told me, he was very happy there. He told me many good things about this club and also told me which areas were good to live in. He also talked to me about the team and the players here, so I'm very grateful to him. We all know that the world of football is very crazy.

After Newcastle United played Barcelona in the Champions League last season, you spoke highly of Barcelona's football philosophy and how their midfielders controlled the ball in your post-match interview, right? You seemed really impressed at the time. I want you to hear what you said then.

Am I going to hear my own voice now?

Yes, you'll know when you hear it, you must listen.

(Plays recording of Gordon's interview at the time)

Gordon: "The way they kept possession taught me a lot. At least in England, we don't face this style of team, at least not at this level. I think they are the best team I've ever encountered in this aspect of the game. Everything they do in midfield is truly top-notch. We've also played against strong teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, or Arsenal, but the way Barcelona's midfielders pass the ball to each other, the fluidity of their movement, and their coordination made it very difficult for us to press."

It sounds like you were completely blown away then, right?

Yes. Like I said then, those words were true. England doesn't really have that style of play. Manchester City is somewhat similar, but even they play differently from Barcelona. St. James' Park is a tough away ground, especially when we're pressing. But I had never encountered a team there before that could control the game like Barcelona did in that match. And honestly, in that regard, you have two of the best players in the world, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.

When you said those words, did you ever think, "I wish I could play for Barcelona someday"?

I've thought that since I was five or six, so the answer is definitely yes. But I didn't play well in that match, so after it, I probably felt like I didn't have much of a chance.

What are your earliest memories of Barcelona?

My earliest memories are probably when I was nine or ten years old. That was Guardiola's team, and they were at their peak, the best team in the world.

Around 2009 or 2010?

Yes, those years. They were the best team in the world, and the best team I've ever seen in my life. So, they were the best, and of course, I hoped to play for the best team someday. They had the best players, which naturally attracted me a lot.

Now you've really come to Barcelona. What surprises you most in training, the speed of the team's passing and ball movement? Is that what surprises you the most?

I would say yes. In some situations, I feel that the demands here are so high that almost no one makes mistakes. I mean, basically no one makes any mistakes. Even if you pass a not-so-good ball to a teammate, he can still control it and complete the play.

So that really surprised you, right?

Very surprised, yes. (laughs)

Is the Barcelona locker room what you imagined it would be like?

No. To be honest, that was very unexpected for me. What surprised me the most was the humility of everyone here. Like I just said, these players are the best in the world in their respective positions, but when you actually get to know them, you don't feel that at all. Everyone is very humble.

Which player has helped you the most so far?

Usually, I spend more time with Eric because his English is the best.

Of course, he used to play for Manchester City.

Yes, and he was there for a long time. Also Olmo and Pedri.

Does Pedri speak English?

His English is very poor, but he tries to speak it. (laughs)

About as bad as my English?

No, worse than yours. (laughs)

Which player surprised you the most? Yamal?

Of course, Yamal definitely counts. But the thing with Yamal is, I already knew he would be so good, so when I actually saw him, it was hard for him to surprise me more than what I had seen on TV. The one who really surprised me the most is Pedri.

Pedri?

He's the best.

Why?

I think the best players are those who make everything look easy. Pedri doesn't play by relying on speed or physical attributes. He's not particularly tall, nor is he particularly strong, but he's just incredibly good. He has amazing technical ability.

Like dancing with the ball on the grass, right?

Exactly. I'm the kind of player who's athletic and runs fast. But I don't think that's as amazing as what he does.

So far, you've started four games. How are you adapting now? Are you satisfied with your performance?

Not bad, but I wouldn't say I'm satisfied yet. I think my performance has been okay so far, but without a doubt, I can do more, and much better. I've only been here for a month, so it definitely needs a little more time. Considering the overall pace of the game here, I think I've done pretty well so far, but...

You can do better, right?

Of course, much better.

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