On the theme of visualisation, Gordon says it is a form of “meditation” for him and he “loves” the “deep thinking and really challenging my mind”.
He says he tries to play the game out before it happens, different scenarios for different opponents.
England play Denmark on Thursday in their second group game after an opening 1-0 win over Serbia in which Gordon did not feature.
“When you’re emotional and tired, you’re probably going to make worse decisions,” explains Gordon.
“So if I can set my intentions and visualise them before the game, I can follow a clearer path to my intentions.”
Gordon recorded career-best figures of 11 goals and 10 assists in the 2023-24 Premier League season, on the back of being named player of the tournament as England won the European Under-21 Championship in July 2023.
He only writes down short-term goals “as if they have already happened” and a date to achieve them by.
“That gives me no time to debate them and just it’s a clear path to follow,” he explains.
This started at that U21 tournament.
“I came off a season when I was struggling. I had just joined Newcastle and I couldn’t really get in the team.
“I went to the Under-21 Euros and my main goal was to win player of the tournament and to win the tournament, which I did.
“They were two massive goals that have gone on to change my life really, because my trajectory [since then] has gone upwards.
“My main goal last year was to be Newcastle’s most important player. So I’m never coming off, I want the manager to always believe in me, even if we’re struggling, I want him to value me and having me on the pitch.”