Anthony Gordon on Rafa Benitez and Everton ambition
Everton youngster Anthony Gordon has revealed the observation that Rafa Benitez made when he was appointed Toffees manager in the summer.
The 20-year-old spent the second half of the 2020-21 campaign on loan at Preston North End in the Championship, but has been handed an opportunity at Goodison Park by Benitez this season.
Gordon has made nine Premier League appearances under the Spaniard so far, four of which have been starts; he has completed 90 minutes in the last two games against Tottenham and Manchester City.
Speaking to the club’s official website, the winger said: “To be honest, I hardly played 90 minutes in my age-group teams. I’ve never really had an engine. The manager identified that as soon as he came.
“He paid me a lot of compliments but said my stamina wasn’t up to scratch. And he was absolutely right.
“I am quick and explosive and those types of players rarely have stamina. I have to find the balance for what is required in the first team, where the level and physicality are so high, and I am starting to get it right.
“I have got into the habit of looking over if we make a change in the second half, thinking it could be me. When it wasn’t, against Spurs, I was buzzing, it was a competitive game and I was enjoying it.
“It’s no good doing it once, though, I need to get through entire games over and over. That was why it meant a lot to stay on until full-time at Manchester City last week.”
Gordon also revealed there is one major thing he is longing to do in an Everton shirt.
“I haven’t scored my first senior goal yet,” he said. “To say I want to change that would be an understatement.
“It is all I can think about. Seriously, even if I’m walking my dog, I’m imagining what it will be like to score for Everton. It is a dream and just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.”
Encouraging development
There is no denying that Benitez has had his faults at Goodison Park so far, but the way he has brought Gordon into the first team has been one of the highlights of his tenure.
He has handled the 20-year-old well, making sure not to overwork him; using him alongside more experienced wingers such as Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray.
That has allowed Gordon to shine and show his energy and potential in a Toffees shirt.
The next step – which the youngster is desperate to take – is to start contributing in the final third, as he is yet to register a goal or an assist at club level this season.
Gordon scored twice on his England Under-21 debut earlier this month, so will hope it is only a matter of time before he finds the net for his boyhood team.
In other Everton news, Mark Lawrenson has made his prediction for Sunday’s game against Brentford.
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