Chris Sutton wants Everton ace Anthony Gordon to stand up and make a difference to save Frank Lampard from the sack. But he is ‘surprised’ the Toffees have not swung the axe yet.
The Goodison Park natives have endured a woeful season in the Premier League so far this term. Lampard has overseen just three wins and six draws from 19 games to sit 19th in the table. No other top-flight team has won fewer than four fixtures through the 2022/23 term.
Only Wolves (12) have also now scored fewer goals than the 15 that Everton players have produced. While only Gordon (3), Demarai Gray (3) and Dwight McNeil (2) have found the back of the net multiple times. Six players have struck one goal over the Toffees’ matches.
Lampard has started Gordon in 12 of Everton’s 19 Premier League games so far this season and brought the 21-year-old on as a substitute in four matches. The winger made his latest outing off the bench against Southampton last Saturday. But his impact frustrated Sutton.
Sutton slams Gordon amid his surprise that Everton are yet to sack Lampard
Gordon conceded the late free-kick from which James Ward-Prowse put Southampton 2-1 ahead at Everton. He had only been on the pitch for just nine minutes and is now without a goal in five games. The forward has found the net once in his last 11 league appearances.
His influence in Everton’s attempt to avoid relegation has left Sutton wondering where the player Chelsea courted last summer is. Sky Sports reported that the Blues offered £40-45m and considered bidding £60m in late August as he was one of Thomas Tuchel’s top targets.
Now, the Stamford Bridge outfit have signed Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk for £62m, plus £26.5m in add-ons. While the Daily Mail reports Tottenham Hotspur are eying a move for Gordon. Spurs have also sought to scout the forward this year in line of a move.
Yet Sutton struggles to see the player whom Chelsea were ready to spend big to sign a few months ago. Instead, he wants Gordon to rediscover those levels or Lampard will be at risk of the sack at Everton. Even if the ex-Celtic star is stunned the 44-year-old is still in charge.
“Anthony Gordon, where’s the talent that attracted a £60m bid from Chelsea?” Sutton wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. “You came off the bench against Southampton then gifted James Ward-Prowse the chance to score that winning free-kick at Goodison Park.
“I want to see more from you and everyone else. Frank Lampard is on the brink – I’m surprised he’s lasted this long. It’s time you stood up and were counted.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
