Anthony Gordon Set to Challenge Lamine Yamal for Barcelona Penalty Duties

Lamine Yamal assumed the primary penalty-taking responsibilities for Barcelona last season, stepping in for Robert Lewandowski. The young Spanish winger demonstrated proficiency in the role, successfully converting six of his seven penalty attempts throughout the season. His sole miss occurred against Girona, and his final involvement in Barcelona's La Liga campaign before injury was a penalty scored against Celta Vigo. Yamal took more penalties than both Raphinha and Lewandowski during the season.

Barcelona's new signing, Anthony Gordon, is expected to challenge Yamal for the first-choice penalty specialist position. According to a recent update, the former Newcastle United player possesses a strong record from the penalty spot. In the 2025-26 campaign alone, Gordon reportedly converted all nine penalties he took for Newcastle United across various competitions, including three in the Premier League, five in the UEFA Champions League, and one in the FA Cup. He also scored a penalty for England against Costa Rica, bringing his combined club and country record to ten consecutive conversions.

Gordon's arrival is also anticipated to create significant competition on Barcelona's left wing. The English international is seen as a valuable addition to Hansi Flick’s project, known for his grit, effort, and strong work-rate. His attacking abilities, pace, and skill are expected to be beneficial for the team. He will contend for a starting spot with Raphinha, who is currently considered an undisputed starter on that flank. This depth on the left wing is considered crucial, especially after Raphinha's injury-affected season.

(Source: Yahoo Sports Soccer)