The debate around Anthony Gordon’s benching in Newcastle’s Champions League clash with Barcelona isn’t going away anytime soon. Alan Shearer, known for his strong opinions, has stuck to his guns even after Gordon publicly pushed back on the criticism.

Last week, Gordon was left out of the starting lineup for the first leg against Barcelona. Manager Eddie Howe later explained that Gordon was dealing with an illness leading up to the game and only came on in the 67th minute during the 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. Interestingly, Gordon has had a standout season, breaking Shearer’s Champions League goal record with 10 goals in 11 games, which makes the benching all the more contentious.

Shearer didn’t hold back after Gordon’s absence was confirmed, saying he believed the winger should have started. His rationale was straightforward: if a player is fit enough to train on the day of the game, they should be on the pitch, especially in such a crucial match against Barcelona with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake. He emphasised that it would take something truly exceptional to keep him out of that kind of game.

Gordon, however, fired back after scoring the winner at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, hitting out at what he called the “nonsense” remarks. He revealed that even though he was bedridden and missed training for three days due to illness, he expected to start the match against Barcelona. The decision to rest him came from Howe, who informed him upon arrival at the stadium that he wouldn’t be in the starting XI, a decision Gordon admitted was difficult but ultimately up to the manager.

Shearer responded again during a recent episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, welcoming Gordon’s right to reply but standing firm on his original comments. He reiterated that, in his view, illness wouldn’t have sidelined him for such a vital game, even acknowledging the manager’s role in the decision but not changing his stance.

Adding further context, Howe clarified his part in the decision, emphasising that Gordon was very much willing to play against Barcelona. The final call was made jointly with the medical staff, who concluded that he wasn’t fit enough to start, despite the player’s readiness to go.

It’s a classic clash between player determination and managerial caution, and this back-and-forth highlights just how fine the lines can be in top-level football decisions. Regardless of where you stand, it’s clear both sides are passionate about what’s best for Newcastle’s success.

Newcastle United currently boasts the Premier League’s most in-form central midfielder, yet surprisingly, it’s not the player grabbing headlines in the summer transfer chatter. While Sandro Tonali has shown solid performances, it’s Jacob Ramsey’s growing influence that’s fuelling optimism as Newcastle approaches a critical phase of their season.

Ramsey has recently shifted the midfield battle decisively in Newcastle’s favour. His blend of energy and composure offers a crucial foundation for the rapid transitions Newcastle will rely on to advance past Barcelona. The challenge ahead is immense, perhaps the biggest in the club’s history, but Eddie Howe’s squad has shown remarkable growth over the past week. After a near-dominant display against Barcelona at St James’ Park and a strong away win at Chelsea, the Nou Camp doesn’t seem as daunting as it might have been before.

Despite his importance, Ramsey remains under the radar outside of Tyneside. Meanwhile, Tonali’s name has been linked with moves to the Premier League’s heavyweights Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and even Real Madrid, creating some tension within Newcastle. The club’s cautious stance on discussing Tonali publicly reflects a desire to avoid the sort of transfer saga that unsettled them with Alexander Isak. This quiet approach has inadvertently allowed Ramsey’s standout form to fly somewhat under the radar.

And Ramsey has been impressive, really impressive. Against Manchester United, he was man of the match; he was close to earning similar accolades against Barcelona and shared the spotlight with Malick Thiaw during the win at Stamford Bridge. It’s Ramsey’s quick decision-making and ability to launch swift counterattacks that have breathed new life into Newcastle’s midfield. After a spell of injuries and struggling to break through alongside established players like Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, and Joelinton, Ramsey now seems to have settled into Howe’s system effectively.

This progression mirrors what we saw with Anthony Gordon, whose transformation since arriving from Everton has been dramatic. He was unremarkable, but patiently integrating him during Newcastle’s most challenging run, with league form teetering, has paid off. His breakthrough came during a must-win game at Tottenham, sparking a surge that revived the team’s prospects.

The real test for Newcastle comes now. Matches against Barcelona and Sunderland carry the weight of the season. Winning both could open the door to a new realm of possibility, while setbacks, especially against Sunderland, could put Howe back under scrutiny and reduce Ramsey’s influence to a mere footnote.

But for the moment, confidence and momentum have returned. And much of that renewed energy traces back to Ramsey’s quietly outstanding contributions.