Nicolo Savona names Newcastle United star as 'most difficult' Premier League player he's come up against
Newcastle United were linked with a move for Nicolo Savona in the summer as the Magpies searched for a new centre-back option before finally acquiring Malick Thiaw.
Eventually, Savona did get a move to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest, who have had a pretty bizarre start to the new season as they are on their third manager of the season already with only 11 games played.
Nottingham Forest are one of the three Premier League sides Newcastle have beaten the competition this season, with Wolves and Fulham the other two. All of which are below the 14th-placed Magpies in the league.
Forest could be about to turn the corner, but in the meantime, Savona has been asked who is the hardest opponent he's faced in the Premier League so far.
Nicolo Savona says Anthony Gordon is a very tough opponent to face
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian named Newcastle's Anthony Gordon as his toughest opponent in the league so far, but did caveat that with the fact that he's yet to face Erling Haaland.
“Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon; he’s skilful and lightning-fast in his first steps.
“After Christmas, I’ll face Haaland again. We crossed paths when I was with Juventus at the Club World Cup: on December 27, we play Manchester City.”
Anthony Gordon must have been having a good day when we faced Nottingham Forest
On his day, there are few better wingers in the league than Anthony Gordon, but lately he's been largely ineffective. We could be kind and put that down to him playing with an injury.
However, unless that injury has been plaguing him since last summer, we're not so sure.
Gordon's form this season has been entirely emblematic of Newcastle United's problems as a whole. Unless it's a big occasion, he and the rest of the team don't seem to be too interested. And yet, Jamaal Lascelles is adamant it's not a mentality issue. We remain unconvinced.
