View: Young Everton star Gordon should be in line to replace Richarlison if he’s injured
Everton star Richarlison was forced off against Manchester United with a sickening blow to the head during the club’s 2-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup.
The injury has cast serious doubts over the Brazilian’s availability for the weekend, with Everton due to face Sheffield United on Boxing Day.
If the Brazilian is unable to make the starting XI, Anthony Gordon should be the man to step up for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The latter is highly rated at Goodison Park and has been on the fringes of the first-team squad this season.
Gordon was named in the squad for the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United but did not make it off the bench.
Ancelotti brought Bernard off the bench following Richarlison’s injury and as the more experienced option, he might be tempted to repeat that in his selection on Saturday night.
Hailed by David Unsworth for his ‘explosiveness and star quality’, Gordon has the speed and ability to slot into this Everton team.
His ability on the ball has not been going unnoticed on the training ground either, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin among those praising Gordon.
The Toffees forward claimed that Gordon was an ‘exciting’ talent and now it is time for supporters to see more of him in action.
He has made two appearances in the Premier League already this season, coming off the bench against Southampton and Leicester.
Elsewhere, he has made two appearances in the League Cup, registering assists against both Salford and Fleetwood.
As per Wyscout, Gordon is averaging four progressive runs per 90 minutes this season and is also drawing nearly four fouls a game – which shows what a nightmare he can be for defenders to deal with.
It would be a big call for Ancelotti to make, but with Richarlison’s chances for Sheffield United looking doubtful, it would represent a brilliant opportunity to bring Gordon into the fold.
In other Everton news, Sigurdsson shows his creative importance to Everton in defeat v Man United