Everton star Anthony Gordon ‘doesn’t deserve’ starting spot after poor Manchester United showing
Anthony Gordon endured another frustrating evening for Everton on Sunday, and The Athletic journalist Greg O’Keeffe believes he should be dropped versus Tottenham.
Everton suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday evening, with Gordon being hooked by Frank Lampard for Dwight McNeil after 67 minutes.
After yet another poor performance O’Keefe, who is the Everton writer for The Athletic, believes the 21-year-old should be dropped from Lampard’s line-up against Tottenham.
Speaking on the All Together Now podcast (10 October), O’Keefe said: “I think Dwight McNeil was hard done by with Anthony Gordon coming in, and I don’t think Anthony Gordon delivered from the get-go, really.
“I thought Gray had a go. There were bits I liked about Gray’s game but Gordon struggled, for me, and I would suggest he doesn’t deserve to be back in the team on Sunday against a team that [attempted to] sign him.”
Tough decision
Lampard faces a really tough decision on Saturday afternoon during the trip to north London.
On one hand, Gordon has been underperforming in recent weeks and is stopping Dwight McNeil from settling down at Goodison Park.
But on the other, the 21-year-old remains a huge goal threat on his day, and he could be the difference maker for the Toffees against a very robust Tottenham side.
Lampard wasn’t afraid to drop Gordon for the win against Southampton, and McNeil scored on that occasion. Doing the same again on the weekend would be a huge statement to make – and maybe one that is essential to get through to Gordon.
He needs to know that his current performance levels aren’t acceptable, and the best way of letting him know that is by naming him on the bench.
It could well be the catalyst that sparks a fire inside him and helps him return to form. If not, McNeil can be handed plenty more opportunities.