Czech coach hails Gordon as God‑like, on par with Barcelona’s Yamal

In the quiet of a Prague training ground, the echo of a young winger’s sprint is matched by the roar of a Czech coach’s admiration for a former Newcastle striker. Santi Denia, the Czech Republic’s national team manager, praised Anthony Gordon, declaring him a ‘God‑like’ talent comparable to Barcelona’s prodigy Lamine Yamal.

Denia’s high praise for Gordon

Denia told, “Gordon? What a player! My God. He is of the same level as… I don’t know, I want to say Lamine. Young, bold, one‑on‑one, fast.” The 52‑year‑old Spanjaard, who spent years reshaping the Spanish federation’s youth system, believes the English winger embodies the very best of modern football development.

His résumé includes steering Spain to the Euro U17 title in 2017 and the Olympic Games in 2024, giving him a keen eye on how Spain nurtures talent – a system that currently has Yamal in its spotlight.

England‑Czech clash looms

Denia’s comments come as the Czech Republic prepares for a Nations League‑duel with England on Tuesday evening. He noted that England’s level is not far from the European and world champions, adding that the Three Lions are “very, very good” and close to a World Cup final.

The first encounter in Prague saw England win 2‑0, a result aided by a goal from Gordon. The former Newcastle forward, who completed a summer move to Barça, is described as being “in blood‑form” and ready to influence the upcoming fixture.

Denia also urged the English FA to continue investing in youth and coach education, arguing that success is a process built over years, not a one‑off miracle.

His praise for Gordon, coupled with the upcoming Nations League showdown, highlights the growing inter‑connection between club success at Barça and international ambitions for both England and the Czech Republic.