Tottenham have been handed a stark message from Frank Lampard as Antonio Conte looks to continue his team’s flying summer transfer window business. It’s understood that Tottenham had originally made a £10m bid for the versatile midfielder, but the Merseyside club felt that offer was offensive, as well as reiterating that they weren’t interested in doing business for the 21-year-old. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle raised the bar with a £35m offer of their own for Gordon, but Lampard’s message to all clubs has remained the same.
Frank Lampard said: “He’s going nowhere. He’s our player and that was a hugely-important thing to me, he’s the sort of player we want to build to go forward with. I’m delighted that he’s got his number 10 but now I want him to continue to earn it.”
Everton have rewarded Gordon’s good work last season with the no.10 shirt. With four goals and two assists last year, as well as cementing a first team place, Gordon was a shining light in a largely forgettable campaign.
Frank Lampard said: “He’s worked for it (the new squad number). You have to earn the number 10. I understand this desire for numbers with players. I was fortunate, I kind of fell into a number eight in my career. I didn’t go searching for it but I understand how it can feel important to you. But I absolutely feel now, especially with the 10 because it has a little bit of magic to it, a bit of flair, and Anthony’s got that. He has it in his own style. I’ve said to him, I don’t want him to try and think he’s doing pirouettes on the halfway line now. We need him doing what he was doing last year plus goals plus assists which Anthony is so hungry to do. But he’s earned it absolutely and he’s a link to the crowd, a link to the fans, a local boy who gives everything, a great talent.”
