Everton prospect Anthony Gordon has been the subject of high praise from a key member of the Toffees’ board in a recent Q&A session with junior-level Everton players.
Marcel Brands, the club’s Director of Football, was answering questions from fans with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin when the subject of youth development came to the fore.
The conversation with academy players from the under-6, under-7 and under-8 levels shifted towards the identity of Brands’ favourite player at the club. In diplomatic fashion, he claimed that whilst he has no true favourites and views all of the squad as valued, he did single out Gordon for particular praise, saying:
“If I mention one name that’s always difficult because they’re all my favourites! But I’m really happy with the development now of Anthony Gordon.
“He’s a young player from the academy, so I hope he will be the next one that can be a real starter in the near future. I’m really hopeful for that and I really support that.”
Gordon has only managed just over half an hour of Premier League football this season and typically features much more regularly for the Toffees’ under-23s side.
There had recently been calls from some Everton fans for Gordon to receive more senior game-time as the club seek to develop him in line with first team plans. The 19-year-old has managed two goals in as many appearances in the Carabao Cup, perhaps indicating his ability to adapt to senior level.
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Brands’ praise is not to be ignored.
For a man whose club role revolves around working with the recruitment team to identity and secure new talent at all levels, Brands has an attuned eye to the demands of senior football at Everton.
For Gordon to be singled out is indicative of his considerable potential and should only intensify calls for more first team opportunities even further.
