In an odd twist, FC Barcelona signed Anthony Gordon and decided against taking up a buy option for Marcus Rashford
, just as the two compete for the same spot in the English national team. Rashford was a substitute in England’s first two FIFA World Cup games, but he was a starter in the win against Panama. Meanwhile, Gordon started the first two but was not used in the third.Some sections of the media have called into question Barcelona’s transfer strategy as the two battle for the starting job.
Rashford, they say, has been rewarded for good substitute appearances and will likely keep the job for now. Meanwhile, Gordon has had two mainly ineffective outings and could be at risk of not playing much.
A deeper analysis may question this conclusion. Rashford did have some moments of danger against Panama, but he didn’t score or assist, and Gordon did not set the world on fire, but he was far from bad. There’s a lot of World Cup left and a lot of drama to unfold.
For Barcelona, the choice to sign Gordon and potentially let Rashford go is not just about performance. There’s Rashford’s contract, which has been the main factor keeping Barcelona from signing him. And then there’s the age factor. Although it’s not a massive difference, Rashford is three-and-a-half years older.
Regardless, the World Cup is one thing at one moment, and performances in this tournament do not necessarily dictate what will happen at club level over the next few years.
