Alex Crook: Everton may face fight to convince Anthony Gordon to stay at Goodison Park
Alex Crook believes that Everton could face a fight to keep Anthony Gordon at Goodison Park if Chelsea do come back with a £50million bid for the 21-year-old.
The Times reported (16 August) that the Toffees have rejected a £45million bid from Chelsea for Gordon and have insisted he is not for sale.
However, talkSPORT reporter Crook believes that if Chelsea come back with an improved bid, then the Toffees could face a struggle to convince the 21-year-old to stay at Goodison Park.
Talking on talkSPORT’s GameDay Podcast (15 August, 32:00), Crook said: “It will ultimately come down to how much the player is pushing for a move and you have to say that Everton is hardly an attractive proposition at this moment in time, even for someone who has an affection for the club.
“Chelsea have Champions League football, it’s Thomas Tuchel, it’s Stamford Bridge.
“Everton should be looking for near £50million but if that bid does come in they might have a fight on their hands to convince Gordon that Everton is the best place to be.”
No loyalty in football
Regardless of Gordon coming up through the ranks at Goodison Park Evertonians will be aware that very few players show loyalty in modern-day football and that the 21-year-old will likely be open to a move to a Champions League club.
Chelsea will be pushing near the top end of the table, and sadly, Crook is right in his assessment of the current state of affairs at Goodison Park.
The Toffees are severely lacking in attacking options and have lost their two opening games after just avoiding relegation last season.
No matter how much Gordon loves the club, there has to be a realisation that he will be open to leaving Everton if things don’t improve both on and off the pitch.
Whether Everton should give into Chelsea’s pursuit of Gordon is a completely different matter.
Considering the lack of forward options Frank Lampard has at his disposal at the moment, it should take a huge bid for the club to really consider letting their star man leave.