Anthony Gordon has failed to turn up to training for a third consecutive day following speculation that the Kirkdale-born forward is on his way to the North East with Newcastle United.
Anthony Gordon has failed to turn up to training for a third day, it was expected the Everton forward would attend Finch Farm this morning, despite being missing for the last two days (Tuesday was an pre-agreed absence) but he’s not arrived amid speculation of a move to @NUFC
— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) January 26, 2023
Former Everton head of communications Alan Myers this afternoon broke the news to Evertonians on Twitter and from an Everton fan looking at the situation. Anthony Gordon should hang his head in shame.
After joining Everton at the age of 11, Gordon has played for Everton at every age level and became Everton’s sixth youngest player when he made his debut in the dead rubber game coming on as a substitute in the Toffees’ 3-0 Europa League group stage win over Apollon Limassol in December 2017.
It was three years later that he played for the first team again, coming on as a stoppage-time sub in the Carabao Cup vs Leicester City under then-caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson. When Carlo Ancelotti took over Everton, he was impressed with Gordon’s performances in the U21s and in first team training and made his first start in the Merseyside Derby in 2020.
Last season Gordon was one of the shining lights for Evertonians with his direct approach, not scared to run at defenders with the ball and got the crucial goal in Everton’s 1-0 over Manchester United towards the end of last season.
In the summer, Gordon came back as Everton’s new number 10 and was linked with moves down south to Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur but neither club matched Everton’s valuation of Gordon, but whilst all this was happening he did turn up for training and started the season in good form scoring in back-to-back games vs Brentford and Leeds whilst the transfer window was still open.
When the window shut, Gordon’s performances fell off as did the rest of the team and in the last four games has only played 21 minutes as a sub in the 2-1 defeat to Southampton and that speaks volumes.
He was an unused sub in the defeat at West Ham, probably so he did not get injured and following Lampard’s sacking he has now been absent for the past three days. No player is bigger than the club, and Anthony Gordon believes he has the talent of Prime Eden Hazard, but in reality, he had a good 3 months and actually has the ability of a youngster still learning his trade.
If Newcastle do offer the reported £40M that has been talked about, then we should snatch that whilst we can. We are struggling for money at the moment and by selling a player that wants nothing to do with the club is a no-brainer.
Anthony Gordon cannot play another game for the club, he has burnt all bridges with Everton and I will not miss him at all. His attitude during the game stinks, and now that he’s refusing to turn up to training whilst a club that gave him the chance to become a professional footballer is in a relegation battle says everything about him as a person for me.
Compare that to Amadou Onana who today has reportedly turned down Chelsea’s advances as he is committed to Everton, and committed to giving his all to keep Everton in the league.
Anthony Gordon, you should take note!