Everton

Everton

Premier League • England

Venomous attack on ‘Everton boy’ Anthony Gordon for ‘forcing’ Newcastle move, as second pundit tells him to ‘do one’

Anthony Gordon half time reception at Newcastle

Former Everton manager Sam Allardyce has criticised Anthony Gordon for ‘forcing’ a move to Newcastle, but also surprisingly said it was his favourite winter deal. 

TalkSPORT presenter Simon Jones also slammed into the winger’s decision to trade his boyhood club for Tyneside in the midst of a relegation battle.

Gordon sealed the £40m deal in the final days of the transfer window, after failing to turn up at training for two days in a row, forcing a move away from the Toffees.

TEAMtalk also revealed prior to his departure that the 21-year-old submitted an official transfer request as he looked to jump ship.

It was an abysmal transfer window for Everton, as despite picking up a decent sum for Gordon, they failed to spend the money on any new recruits, leaving them as the only Premier League club not to make a signing in January.

According to reports, they missed out on as many as 14 deadline day deals, despite Farhad Moshiri promising his new manager Sean Dyche at least two new additions.

They may still be able to sign a free agent outside the window, though. Former West Ham and Swansea City striker Andre Ayew has arrived in England for talks with two unnamed Premier League clubs, likely to be Everton and Nottingham Forest.

Former Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco is another player out of contract and the Toffees have also identified him as a potential option. 

With Everton picking up just 15 points from 20 games this season – the worst start in their entire history – their failure to sign any of their main targets represents a major failure.

Allardyce says ‘Everton boy’ Gordon move to Newcastle is bargain of the window

However, while Allardyce sympathises with Everton’s current situation, he actually named the Gordon’s switch to Newcastle as the best deal of the winter window.

Speaking on his No Tippy Tappy Football Podcasthe said: “Anthony Gordon, I think, to Newcastle [is my favourite].

“I don’t know how strong that bid was from Chelsea before the window shut in the summer, which was reputed to be £60 or £70million but to let a young man go, forced his own way out to be fair, which I don’t like. An Everton boy, an Everton supporter.

“But you have to get the best you can. I think £45million is short of the real valuation of what we have seen in some of the players who have been transferred this window.

“But great for Newcastle. I’d say it was a bit of a bargain for them.”

Gordon was introduced to Toon fans at half-time during their Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton on Tuesday, who gave him a warm reception. 

He has a big job on his hands to break into Eddie Howe’s starting XI given the excellent form of Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, but he could certainly have an impact on their season as they look to solidify their spot in the top four.

Simon Jordan tells Gordon to ‘do one’ after betraying his boyhood team

Despite Allardyce’s reservations about the manner in which Gordon left Goodison Park, he still clearly rates him.

TalkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan, however, definitely does not. Following his departure, Gordon wrote a social media post thanking Everton for his time at the club, which has only further infuriated the pundit.

On social mediaGordon wrote: “It was a really difficult decision and it’s been a really tough week for me.”

“I’ve been at Everton for my whole footballing career so far, so it’s been difficult.

“But this is an opportunity that I couldn’t really miss out on. I didn’t mean to disrespect or offend anyone at Everton.

“And I’m hoping they know that and hopefully they can reinvest the money now and stay in the Premier League.

“I never imagined it or wanted it to go like that, that’s why it’s been such a tough week for me.

“But I just couldn’t miss out on this opportunity and they got a lot of money for me.

“So I’m hoping they can reinvest it into the squad.”

In response, Jordan ripped into the English winger. Saying: “Players going from Everton to Newcastle saying ‘I’m glad I’ve gone so I can give the club back £45million.”

“Do one! You’re only going because it suits you!”

After being cup-tied for Newcastle’s match against Southampton, he will be available for their league game against West Ham on Saturday.

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