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Paul Robinson claims Everton starlet can benefit from 'free hit'
Carlo Ancelotti has a “free hit” at Everton this season, and has the opportunity to look at younger players like Anthony Gordon in a first team setting as a result, according to Paul Robinson.
The Toffees currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, seven points off the drop zone and six off a Europa League spot.
And that mid-table standing, coupled with a report from the Athletic suggesting that Gordon has made an impression on his manager, leads Robinson to believe that youth could be given a chance.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “They’ve got no expectations this year, it’s a free hit for Ancelotti until the end of the season.
“They can’t do any worse than they were, they’re not going to get relegated, so it’s an opportunity to look at all the players they’ve got.
“I expect he’ll use this opportunity to look at players like that.”
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Will Gordon get his shot this season?
Why shouldn’t he?
The Blues are drifting a little bit after a fairly calamitous start to the season, and as Robinson suggests, Ancelotti has absolutely nothing to lose here.
The Italian won’t be properly judged on his performances until next season, when he’s been given enough time to rebuild the squad in his image.
How great it would be if that new look Everton also included a couple of local lads from the academy.
And Gordon should be right at the front of that queue.
With six goals and two assists in nine Premier League 2 matches this term, he is on fire, and perhaps a little of youthful exuberance could be the extra little kick needed to get things back on track at Goodison.
In other news, Report – Ancelotti plots stunning treble swoop to overhaul Everton squad.