'I'm not that guy': Anthony Gordon says he hasn't approached Gareth Southgate about more playing time

Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon is currently being wasted in Germany at Euro 2024 as England boss Gareth Southgate has only used his electric winger for five minutes in three very stale games.

Fans and pundits alike have been crying out for Gordon's involvement since before the tournament began and after England's performances started bad and got worse, those calls have only got louder.

Southgate introduced Gordon in the 89th minute against Slovenia and in the one minute plus four added minutes, Gordon produced more threat towards the Slovenia defence than golden boy Jude Bellingham had managed all game.

Yet despite that, there's still a strong belief that Southgate will once again stick with the side that has been struggling rather than select those players who actually make a difference, like Gordon and his fellow substitutes Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo.

Anthony Gordon prefers to let his football do the talking

However, Gordon was put on press conference duties ahead of the game against Slovakia on Sunday, which could suggest that he's in line for a shock start. Although it's probably just so he could answer questions about his bike accident that bust open his chin as a way of diverting attention away from the poor performances.

Gordon was asked whether he's been knocking on Southgate's door and pleading for more game time, however, and true to his nature, Gordon answered brilliantly saying (via The Chronicle) that he prefers to let his training do the talking.

"I can only control what I can. Try my best and make selection as hard for him as I possibly can. When or if I’m needed, I’ll be more than ready.

"No I’m not that guy (who knocks on the manager's door). I think if I train to the very best of my ability, do the best I can everyday, that’s my way of giving the manager a headache in terms of selection and the rest I can't control."

Maybe it's time for Gordon to change tact

It's admirable that Gordon backs himself to play his way into the side, but we've watched England under Gareth Southgate long enough to know that form counts for absolutely bugger all. In fact, if your name is Kalvin Phillips or Harry Maguire, you don't even need to have played for months to get picked.

It might be time for the 23-year-old to kick the gaffer's door in and tell him exactly why he should be playing because it's clear for everyone else to see except Southgate it seems.

One positive is that Southgate's England tend to come alive a bit more when it gets to the knockout stages, so hopefully all this sideways and backwards passing is left behind in the group stages.

Look, we're just trying to be a little bit positive, and that's all we can find to cling to.