Anthony Gordon Everton
As Anthony Gordon jogged off the pitch at Old Trafford after putting his heart and soul into another Everton display, recognition from the travelling fans in the corner of the famous stadium was undeniable. “Ohhh Anthony Gordon!”, was the chant repeated by those who had made the short journey down the East Lancs to see their side put in a dogged and energetic performance. One of the highlights of that throughout his time on the pitch was the winger, and he fully appreciated the loud chants of his own name echoing around Manchester United’s famous home. A smile comes across his face even as the question is being asked as he remembers a moment he has been waiting for.
Anthony Gordon remarked: “That was probably the best moment of my life, to be honest. I’ve dreamed about that since I was…I can’t even think how old. I’ve always loved the fans singing, so I probably enjoyed that more than a goal. It’s always been a thing for me to have fans singing my name and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it.”
Some might have been a little surprised to see Gordon’s name in the starting line-up just before the international break, even after the absence of Alex Iwobi was confirmed. In fact, just as with his first senior start against Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby during lockdown, the winger himself was in-the-dark about the situation until just hours before he was due to kick off. And, while he thinks he did put in a good display against United, the 20-year-old knows that this is far from a time to rest on his laurels. Instead, this is a time to knuckle down and really show what he is capable of. Asked when he found out he was in the line-up against United,
Anthony Gordon said: “A couple of hours before the game which I prefer really because it gives you less time to think about it. So I only had a couple of hours to get myself ready, I prefer that. I think it was a good performance but it’s only as good as what I do next really. I’ve got to build on it and make that as a foundation for me to build on and put in some better performances like that. He [Benitez] gives me praise after I do well but he’s a really intense coach and doesn’t allow you to get ahead of yourself. For me, that’s really good, I enjoy that because I never get to relax, I’m always locked in and focused on keeping improving. He told me I did well but he told me I had to keep going.”
Of course, the first though in any player’s mind at this stage would be on keeping his place in the side. Questions might crop up over the coming days and weeks over how he might “convince the manager” about his credentials to stay in the starting 11. But it’s a testament to Gordon’s attitude that, actually, he is focusing much more on himself than what the manager thinks. Benitez has been clear that he values the hard work that players put in at Finch Farm, and the 20-year-old knows that he must continue to do that in the future.
Anthony Gordon added: “That’s down to me. A lot of players blame managers for their [lack of] opportunities but it’s totally down to me. If I work hard enough and keep training how I am and performing when I get the opportunity then those opportunities will come. It’s not up to the manager. If you are performing well enough and working hard enough, you make the decision for him. That is what I am doing now, either starting or on the bench. I am in the manager’s mind because I am working hard. To be honest, last year the other lads were training better than me so deserved to play.”
Having broken through to the senior side in that period of matches being played behind-closed-doors, to hear his name chanted from the stands was a welcome difference to Gordon. In fact, in an equally impressive individual display against Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup, he admitted that it felt almost like he’d made his debut all over again.
Anthony Gordon concluded: “Totally different [playing in front of fans]. I broke through without fans, after lockdown. It was a weird feeling because I never knew what experience playing in front of fans would have on me. Now I have had it, it is like that cliche. Football without fans really is nothing. It is true. Those lockdown games were really hard to get up for. You had to motivate yourself and pump the adrenaline. It was difficult. The QPR game was like a whole new debut. I had to experience that before Old Trafford – that whole new environment of having away fans shouting for you. I embraced it and it made me perform better.”
But he knows it’s not just performances in-game, it’s his attitude in training which will define how much playing time he has this season. He’s another Everton player with exactly the right attitude under Benitez.
