Chelsea must further strengthen their roster – let’s not beat around the bush. Any supporters who watched the Blues’ initial Premier League clashes with Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United will undoubtedly agree with me there. The Leeds contest was particularly difficult viewing in my assessment: outrun, outgunned, outfought and maybe outthought. Though Thomas Tuchel remains the right man for the job. There is no better manager available anyway, as I see the situation. The distinguished head coach has won too much favour to even be considered unqualified to handle the developing transition on Fulham Road.
But the German can’t make strides alone without requisite reinforcements. In the capacity of an apparently exclusive tweet, trusted journalist David Ornstein told his followers new and crucial news on Anthony Gordon of Everton. If you ask me, Chelsea need the latter’s industry, desire, technique, determination and overall quality at present. £60m including add-ons, or potentially extra, is extreme -though with high calibre comes high price. I’ll also reference the eye-watering Morgan Gibbs-White fee of approximately £45M to justify paying for Gordon. According to Ornstein, the outstanding Everton star has now informed his current manager – Chels’ icon and former boss, Frank Lampard – that he wants to join the Blues. Let’s examine the details further.
Trusted reporter David Ornstein provides updates on Chelsea’s pursuit of Everton winger Anthony Gordon
The specific conversation between standout player and knowing gaffer would have been even more interesting to witness in this case, because of Lampard’s past allegiance to CFC. Not that the public, or even teammates, could ever be privy to it without the help of an Amazon Prime Video documentary. The Toffees gaffer is all too familiar with switching sides and becoming a legend at the famous London club. So how could he honestly and realistically discourage this prospectively notable move?
The only possible reasoning the 44-year-old might perhaps convince the young professional of, is that Everton clearly require players of his ilk to survive relegation – specifically goalscorers and providers. And, obviously, the Merseyside outfit have done everything they could to propel Gordon’s career. Therefore some may argue that the EFC Academy graduate owes the club something. Interestingly, the wingman swapped Anfield for Goodison Park at around age 11, after beginning his youth career with fierce rivals Liverpool. The Reds surely rue that loss.
🚨 EXCL: Anthony Gordon has told Everton + Frank Lampard he wants to join Chelsea. 21yo keen to play CL & boost WC chances. #EFC made aware #CFC ready to pay £50m+10m but nothing agreed; still want to keep him & need a replacement if he goes @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/MtuituPM0y
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 23, 2022
The Athletic man added that the 21-year-old is ‘keen to play Champions League football’ in order to place himself more firmly on the radar of England chief Gareth Southgate. This, in Gordon’s eyes, could increase his chances at being in the Three Lions World Cup squad, as per the writer. And trust me, the wideman will be a mainstay of international football very soon, and for a particularly long while afterwards.
Everton are said to be aware that owner and makeshift recruitment head Todd Boehly is ready to pay £50million or higher to secure the top talent. However, no agreement is yet in place; the Toffees desperately want to retain their asset. And they shall naturally need a replacement should Gordon leave for Stamford Bridge.