Everton: Leon Osman hails ‘exceptional’ Anthony Gordon after resurgence
Anthony Gordon chose to avoid a move away from Everton in the summer to remain at the club where he started his professional career.
The 21-year-old was highly sought-after by other Premier League clubs after bursting onto the scene last season in keeping the Toffees in the top flight.
His form at the start of the 2022-23 season saw him earn plenty of praise from elsewhere and Leon Osman, a former Blue himself, hailed his ability to deliver when it really mattered.
“It wasn’t a difficult time for him, but it was a distraction for him, the transfer window and saga and everything that came with it,” Osman said to the Liverpool Echo.
“But he didn’t ask to be left out, but he didn’t force a move or anything, he kept playing his football and in that time and period when we actually needed him, because we had no strikers, he delivered.
“Their form is like a rollercoaster. They are up and down. They are exceptional and they are ominous.
“And he is such a creative talent and can have such an influence on a game if he’s not doing that, everybody notices and everybody sees he has not done that this week.”
Matter of time
Given how Gordon has gone on to be even better this season than he was last campaign, it would be difficult to suggest he won’t get any offers in January or next summer to move on to a different club.
Frank Lampard is almost under pressure to deliver a top-half finish or even European football to keep him on Merseyside for much longer because the clubs keen on him can offer that.
If they do fail to hit such heights by the time the season ends in May, then they might have to accept the fact that he won’t be an Everton player for too much longer with his own desires and career to think about.
On the international stage, he is competing with players excelling at top clubs like Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling and despite being impressive for the Toffees, he can’t get a look in under Gareth Southgate right now.
The World Cup may come too soon but he wants to play for England and he can’t get in while he is at Everton.