Anthony Gordon has been tipped to play as a striker for Barcelona after he impressed by equalling a Lionel Messi record.The England winger continued his strong start to life in Spain on Sunday, as he provided an assist in Barca’s 5-0 victory over Valencia.Anthony Gordon has made history with his stunning assist record in LaLiga so farAFPAfter his £70million arrival from Barcelona, Gordon has hit the ground running in LaLiga.Despite being yet to score, the 25-year-old took his assist tally to five in his first four league outings against Valencia.He kept up his stunning record by teeing up Fermin Lopez in the 22nd minute – received the ball in the area with his back from goal before laying it off to the Spaniard to smash home.Gordon joins exclusive clubGordon has now joined an exclusive club by becoming one of just four players to record assists in their first four matches of a LaLiga season.And the Englishman is among illustrious company here, with Lionel Messi among the stars to previously record the impressive feat.Messi – who recently announced his retirement from Argentina duty – also provided five assists at the start of the 2011/12 campaign.Gordon will certainly be hoping to emulate the football megastar’s historic campaign in other ways too, with Messi famously recording an historic 91-goal calendar year across the 2011/12 campaign.Real Madrid icons Juanito (1980/81) and Michel (1987/88) are among the other two stars to notch the impressive assist numbers, with the former teeing up seven goals and the latter laying on a staggering seven in their respective campaigns.Central role?Gordon’s fast start to life at Barcelona has led talkSPORT’s Kevin Hatchard to tip him to fill in at centre forward with the Spanish giants lacking a focal point up front after summer departures.Robert Lewandowski‘s departure for Chicago Fire saw Barca lose their main source of goals, before Ferran Torres left to join PSG.There is a lack of recognised goalscorer at Barcelona following Robert Lewandowski’s summer exitGettyGordon’s fellow attackers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha both got on the scoresheet in the Valencia routGettyMeanwhile Marcus Rashford ultimately saw a permanent move to Catalonia fall through, with the Manchester United forward capable of playing across the forward line.So far this season, Hansi Flick’s side have played a fluid front three of Gordon, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, with Raphinha the more central player.While Gabriel Jesus’ arrival from Arsenal provides a centre forward option, Hatchard believes we could well see Gordon deployed here.Discussing Gordon on talkSPORT’s Trans Euro Express, Hatchard said: “I’ve been really impressed with the way he’s slotted into this team.”He continued: “You’re talking about the lack of a number nine per se, with Torres and Lewandowski moving on. “I know Gabriel Jesus has gone in there, but he’s quite versatile as well. Gordon’s has been tipped to showcase his versatility at Barcelona, having done so before at NewcastleGetty“And I think Gordon’s going to play some minutes through the middle. I think he looks really, really comfortable on and off the pitch and I think that helps.“Gordon already has experience of playing centrally, having deputised in the role for Newcastle last season amid a goalscoring crisis.Overall, the England star scored nine goals in 16 starts in the position last term, netting five times in his three starts in the role.That includes a goal against Barcelona in the Champions League league phase last September, and a four-goal haul in Newcastle’s round of 16 play-off first leg against Qarabag.