Anthony Gordon is no longer just a makeshift striker - and he may have solved England and Thomas Tuchel's biggest World Cup headache, writes CRAIG HOPE

Anthony Gordon went to Euro 2024 and felt invisible to Gareth Southgate . At the World Cup this summer, Thomas Tuchel will be seeing double. The Newcastle forward is two players in one now.

Tuchel was at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to watch his starting left-winger and, finally, his back-up striker. Gordon is both, and what a relief that will be for the England boss. He does not fancy much what lies beneath Harry Kane .

In November, chatting with reporters in a Wembley suite, Tuchel explored the idea of Phil Foden being the alternative to his captain in attack.

He had just named a squad for England’s final two World Cup qualifiers with just one recognised striker, Kane, within it. Foden seemed like a plan, but less so in practice.

He played less than the final half hour in both matches. For Manchester City , meanwhile, he has not scored since before Christmas . Back to the drawing board, and a name that was there all along.

For Newcastle, Gordon is no longer the makeshift striker billed as such back in August, when the team waited for reinforcement. From stopgap to staple, he has punched his name onto the team-sheet at No.9.

Anthony Gordon has proved that he is more than a makeshift striker with his performances as a No 9 for Newcastle this season

Gordon (right) endured a hugely frustrating Euro 2024 and played just one minute

He plays like a striker, the nuisance value of Craig Bellamy and on-the-shoulder menace of Alexander Isak, to borrow from two of his predecessors on Tyneside.

The finishing of Alan Shearer? Not quite, and not ever, but 16 goals across all competitions this season - nine of them penalties, admittedly - demonstrates a hunger for justifying his inclusion in the position.

Just look at his row with Kieran Trippier in Qarabag last month, when the senior man suggested Gordon forgo the penalty that brought his fourth goal. No chance. The 25-year-old is single-minded, and that is no bad thing for a striker.

After his winning goal and star-man showing at Chelsea, he came out fighting. In his sights were Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney, who between them last week had questioned why Gordon did not start against Barcelona.

Eddie Howe had decided he was only well enough for the bench after a period of illness and he came on during the final 30 minutes of the 1-1 draw.

Gordon said: ‘Usually I don't like to clear stuff up because I don't care too much. But this one does need clearing up because it was just nonsense, complete and utter stupidity.

'I was in bed for three days, missed training, so I was sick for three days. Then I turned up on the day of the game ready to start and I thought I was starting.

‘When I got to the stadium, the manager told me I wasn't starting, which you can imagine I didn't like very much, but that's his decision. The team played great, but saying I didn't want to play in the biggest game of my career is absolute nonsense.

Thomas Tuchel's biggest headache ahead of the World Cup is if Harry Kane gets injured, but Gordon has proved he could be the best deputy if that did happen

'I think Rooney said I went past and didn't shake their hands and went into the changing room. I didn’t. I got changed by myself in a changing room the size of this (small interview room). It was just me and a sink. Complete nonsense. I think they need to do better at what they are doing.’

Taking on two big beasts like Keane and Rooney says much about Gordon’s confidence.

He has always believed he is a better striker than given credit for, and will point to his player-of-the-tournament prize when England Under-21s won the Euros in 2023 with him in that position.

On Wednesday, Gordon will start at centre-forward in the Nou Camp in a Champions League knockout tie.

Were any misfortune to befall Kane, it could be that stage of a World Cup that awaits in the same role. Right now, he is passing all of his auditions.