Gordon's arrival at Camp Nou caught much of Spanish football by surprise. As recently as June, the debate around Barcelona's attack centred on whether the club would trigger their €30million option to sign Marcus Rashford outright, a scenario that looked straightforward in January but had become far less certain by the end of the season.
In the end, Barcelona let that option lapse — and, before it even expired, moved instead for Gordon.
His name had barely featured among the options being discussed to strengthen an attack that, on paper, appeared to need a new centre-forward more urgently than another winger.
The move was driven by head coach Hansi Flick, who saw enormous potential in the Englishman and had tracked him closely throughout the season, including watching him live during Newcastle's Champions League meetings with the Catalan club.
Speed was the standout quality that convinced Flick. Gordon posted the highest top speed recorded in this season's Champions League, reaching 37.92 km/h, and was also the fastest player at the recent World Cup.
He wasted little time demonstrating that trait for his new club: on his full debut against Elche, his contribution to Barcelona's fourth goal was a clear exhibition of his gifts, opening up a three-metre gap on his marker inside just 20 metres before squaring the ball to Fermín López rather than shooting himself.
The performance underlined the strength Barcelona now possess down the left flank, with Raphinha operating on the opposite side and Karim Adeyemi — another close-season signing — offering similar pace on the right. Gordon's game is not limited to speed in transition, either; his capacity to press opponents and win the ball back is a further asset that has quickly endeared him to his new coaching staff, given how effectively his pace translates into an ability to close down defenders.
Barcelona's investment in Gordon has been considerable. The Englishman arrived for a fixed fee of €70million, with a further €10million in variables, making him the club's most expensive signing of the summer — surpassing even the fee paid for Rodri.
He opened his account with two assists on his full debut, a promising start for a player whose versatility also allows him to operate as an out-and-out centre-forward when required.