Marcel Brands is loving the way Anthony Gordon has approached his loan spell at Preston North End, with the Athletic reporting that the Everton youngster will replace Bernard at Goodison Park next term.
When Gordon and fellow teenager Jarrad Branthwaite forced their way into Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team during the final few weeks of the 2019/20 campaign, the expectation was that the highly-rated duo would stay there for the long haul.
Instead, both the winger and the centre-back have been forced to drop down to the Championship in order to get some regular game-time under their belts.
Branthwaite has impressed at times in a struggling Blackburn side while Preston supporters have been won over immediately by Gordon’s speed, skill and tremendous work ethic.
They are not the only ones.
According to the Athletic, Everton’s director of football Marcel Brands – a man who has taken a keen interest in the academy structure at Finch Farm – is thrilled to see Gordon go about his business with such desire and determination at Deepdale.
As such, the Liverpool-born 20-year-old will be rewarded with a place in Ancelotti’s senior squad next term. Gordon is expected to compete for a place on the left-hand side of Everton’s frontline with the departure of Bernard leaving the door wide open.
The Athletic adds that Gordon has been in regular contact with Everton coaches Leighton Baines and Davide Ancelotti, with the Toffees keen to ensure one of their most exciting academy graduates in many a year continues to learn and improve.
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