Rafa Benitez believes Everton have a ‘very explosive’ talent in Anthony Gordon and feels the forward can have a big role as an impact player this season, via the Liverpool Echo.
Gordon made his first start of the Premier League campaign away to Manchester United prior to the international break. But the Toffees product fell out of the line-up as Benitez welcomed West Ham to Goodison Park on Sunday.
Alex Iwobi instead began the Hammers affair after overcoming the slight injury that kept him sidelined at Old Trafford. Benitez expects the 25-year-old to offer Everton more under his tenure, having failed to score in the top-flight this season and netted just once last term.
Iwobi impressed Benitez with his work rate as Everton lost to West Ham, while Gordon struggled following his 79th-minute introduction. Yet the Spaniard can see the 20-year-old is growing and will offer further opportunities as he must rotate his squad.
“I was talking with Anthony. He is a player who is very explosive and when you have this, in this case, it is not the main quality,” Benitez said. “He is a player who is learning and growing and can be an impact coming from the bench.
“Iwobi was working very hard today [Sunday] and when he [Gordon] came into the game, it was more difficult for him. I can see him improving and I can see Iwobi giving us more.
“We can talk about chances or whether it was good or bad. We have a squad, and we have to use it and we have to be sure these players are working hard, and we support them and give them confidence.”
Should Benitez have started Gordon for Everton against West Ham?
Benitez praised Gordon during the last international break for how the Everton talent had responded to his calls to realise his potential. The youngster also impressed at Manchester United earlier this month with a confident display with Iwobi sidelined through injury.
However, neither was enough to earn a second start in the top-flight this term when West Ham visited Goodison Park. His 11-minutes also proved too limited to make a significant contribution against the Hammers, but added some energy late on. As he took his minutes tally for the term to 116 in the Premier League, plus 120-minutes in the Carabao Cup.
Iwobi struggling against the Irons should see Gordon remain in and around Benitez’s plans for Everton’s next fixtures. The Nigerian wasted a few chances to open his account for the season, and may need a strong week in training to earn another start against Watford.
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