A FLASH OF GORDON

CALLUM HUMPHREY REFLECTS ON A DISAPPOINTING EUROS FOR ENGLAND WINGER ANTHONY GORDON...

- CALLUM HUMPHREY

ENGLAND'S hopes of bringing it home once more went up in flames in the Euros.

Devastation, endless analysis and a manager's resignation have followed. But one question remains: where was Anthony Gordon?

In the aftermath of the final defeat to Spain, as is the modern way, almost the whole squad took to social media to summarise their agony, reflect on the tournament and thank the fans, all alongside inspiring images of them fighting till the death on the pitch or laid out exhausted as if having competed in a titanic battle.

Gordon's message was more simple.

Featuring no pictures of him in full England kit a moment hard to capture such was its irregularity - he vows to be back and thanks the fans.

Suited in his red warm-up top with his white shirt slung over his shoulder, he aimlessly walks to collect his runner-up medal, isolated from his teammates. An image that speaks a thousand words, all summing up his tournament.

He must have hoped for so much more when he boarded that plane back in early June, looking ahead to the summer where he could make a difference and help change the fortunes of his country. As it was, his nation made the final but he had little to say about it.

One brief substitute cameo, lasting just a few minutes, against Slovenia in a drab 0-0 draw was as good as it got. Notably, he tried to burst past his defender just to see the ball run out of play.

After starting against Iceland in the final friendly before the tournament, what could have happened to suddenly cast the Newcastle man out of the spotlight?

Somewhat understandably, England boss Gareth Southgate fell into the hype of fitting all his best players onto the pitch which forced Phil Foden out onto the left-hand side, the spot that Gordon was bidding for.