Anthony Gordon makes ‘desperate’ Everton transfer admission over failed Thomas Tuchel link-up
Anthony Gordon has admitted he was “desperate” to leave Everton back in 2022 when Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea attempted to sign him.
Gordon, now at Newcastle United having left Goodison Park in January 2023, revealed he was angling for the departure but the Toffees stood firm on their asking price which Chelsea failed to match.
The 23-year-old recently returned to his old stomping ground and was denied from the penalty spot by Jordan Pickford, with whom he is currently away with England – who Tuchel takes over in the New Year.
“Yeah, [going to Chelsea] was quite close to be honest,” Gordon told the Daily Star [14 November].
“I was desperate to go at the time, and work with [Tuchel] especially. I felt like my style would suit his style of play, the way he was playing at Chelsea, which was very exciting for me.
“It didn’t end up happening. It was a big opportunity for me that didn’t happen.”
Everton fans and Anthony Gordon rivalry has continued
Local lad Gordon has not exactly covered himself in plaudits from his hometown since leaving Merseyside, neither the Everton fans to their formerly coveted prodigy.
In the fans’ minds, it is merely a case of reaping what one sows, with Gordon having attempted to force the Chelsea move and ramping it up to join Newcastle six months later by refusing to train.
The opportunity to take a moment of enjoyment at Gordon’s expense at the Gwladys Street End was duly taken on 5 October, when Pickford thwarted the penalty attempt that could likely have proven the winner; he missed another golden chance to hand the Magpies the points late on, too.
These days, Everton are looking to rekindle the magic with another player taking Gordon’s former number 10 shirt, Iliman Ndiaye – who has been one of the star turns for Sean Dyche since arriving from Marseille in the summer.
Ndiaye and Gordon have each netted twice in the Premier League for their respective clubs this season, while in the England man’s old position at Goodison, Dwight McNeil has registered three goals and three assists.
In other Everton news, Sam Allardyce reveals what sets Pickford apart from the rest.
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