Double Bielsa concern clouds Everton manager chase despite huge leap forward, as Anthony Gordon takes Newcastle move into his own hands
Marcelo Bielsa has flown into England ahead of talks over becoming the next Everton manager despite two alarming concerns, though if appointed, he may well be without Anthony Gordon who’s doubling down on a potential move to Newcastle, per reports.
Bielsa, 67, has emerged as the preferred choice of majority Everton owner, Farhad Moshiri. The Argentine has been out of work since being fired by Leeds Utd in February of last year, though remains highly respected for the work he did with the Whites.
The likes of Sean Dyche and Sam Allardyce have been mentioned alongside the vacant managerial post. However, Bielsa is understood to be the primary target and despite two glaring concerns, Everton’s pursuit has taken a giant leap forward.
That’s according to the Daily Mail who reported Bielsa landed in England on Thursday ahead of talks with Everton’s key decision-makers.
It’s now up to the Toffees to convince Bielsa Goodison Park is the right move for his career. At this stage, it stands to reason Everton need Bielsa more than Bielsa needs Everton.
On whether the enigmatic Argentine is likely to accept an offer, the Mail – along with the Guardian – highlight two concerns he harbours.
Firstly, he’s acutely aware Everton are in desperate need of immediate results and his methods can take time for the players to take on board.
In real terms, Bielsa has concerns over whether the current squad can successfully adopt his man-to-man system. He has particular reservations about the pace and quickness of many of the current squad, specifically in defence.
Secondly, the obvious issue of Everton sacking six permanent managers in just seven years is highlighted.
Anthony Gordon made Everton exit stance crystal clear
One player seemingly tailor-made for a Bielsa system is winger Anthony Gordon.
However, the 21-year-old has now missed three days of training in the hopes of forcing through a move up the league, potentially to Newcastle. Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol subsequntly reported the first day of the three was a ‘planned absence’.
The 21-year-old will ‘insist again’ on leaving Everton during further talks with the club over the next few days, per Fabrizio Romano.
Both parties are seeking to find a resolution and Romano concluded the player has made his position clear: he wants to leave.
Chelsea had been heavily linked last summer, though it’s Newcastle who are on pole at present. A prior Telegraph report and Romano both confirmed the Magpies lodged an opening bid on Wednesday.
Gordon is valued by Everton at £60m, though per a fresh Telegraph update, they may be about to lower their demands given their weak bargaining position.
The club need to sell before sanctioning vital new buys in the remaining few days of the window. To get a Gordon deal done and done quickly, the newspaper claim Everton could accept a bid worth around £40m.
Elsewhere, the Guardian add Chelsea and Arsenal target, Amadou Onana, is likely to stay.
