Anthony Gordon broke into the Everton first team picture towards the end of last season.
2020/21 could be a hugely exciting one for the teenage midfielder, but he faces competition from the raft of players signed under various different Goodison Park managerial regimes.
We’ve looked at three reasons his progress needs to continue next time around…
Inspire the academy
Everton won the double at Under 23 level last year so there’s clearly talent coming through their famous academy.
In recent years, the focus has been on spending and that has produced the imbalanced squad Carlo Ancelotti is dealing with now.
Gordon breaking into the first team and staying there would inspire the other players coming through that it is possible once again.
For example, Ellis Simms scored nearly 50 times in 2018-19, and 8 in 15 PL2 games last season. Gordon making the grade would pave the way for him and others to do similar.
Move away from the high earners
Bernard was an exciting signing in 2018-19, but Spotrac claim Everton offered him a £120,000-a-week contract back then.
That’s a lot of money, and part of Everton’s problem in recent times has been the fact they’re paying big money out and not getting a lot in return.
Is it really beyond Gordon to match or better Bernard’s three goals and two assists from 27 Premier League games in 2019/20?
Ancelotti needs to affirm the message to the high earners that he will pick people with less of a reputation if they can offer more than they can.
Get the fans excited again
There wasn’t a great deal to cheer about for Everton fans last season.
One of the few high point was the development of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate.
The young Yorkshiremen stepped up to the mark at a time when others floundered, which offers hope for the future of the club.
Gordon offers something similar, a glimpse of better things to come, and fans love young lads coming into the team and proving their worth.
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