Rafa Benitez has told the official Everton website that Antony Gordon needed someone to deliver a few home truths in order for the youngster to fulfil his potential at Goodison Park.
The Spaniard believes Gordon can become a great player if he realises his ability, but had to show more. In particular, Benitez wanted the winger to work harder, and told him as much after wasting opportunities under previous managers.
Carlo Ancelotti claimed in July last year that Gordon was ‘ready to be with us’ after his first-team breakthrough. The Italian handed him minutes in 11 Premier League fixtures during 2019/20, but Gordon only made three appearances last season.
Gordon will hope Benitez marks a fresh start for him at Everton, after a disappointing loan with Preston last season. The 20-year-old failed to provide any goals or assists in 11 games for the Championship side, also starting just five.
Benitez explains Gordon situation at Everton
Benitez was tight-fisted with minutes for Gordon early in his Everton tenure, after replacing Ancelotti at the helm this summer. The forward only played one-minute over the Toffees’ opening four top-flight fixtures, but got a break after the September internationals.
Gordon made substitute appearances against Aston Villa and Norwich City, before his first league start under Benitez as Everton drew at Manchester United. He also opened their EFL Cup defeat to Queens Park Rangers, and played the full tie before converting his penalty.
Benitez says Gordon earned his chance to start for Everton against Manchester United with his efforts in training. Now, the challenge is to maintain that level, having taken note of the Spaniard’s wake up call.
“The way he is training and the way he behaves in the training sessions,” Benitez explained. “He is keen to learn and always ready to improve parts of his game. He knew he had to be more consistent and work harder with and without the ball and he is doing that.
“We are talking about a young player, but he has the potential to be a great player if he continues working the same way. Anthony has all the attributes to be really good, but if we talk too much about him it will be bad for him. He has to stay humble and keep working as hard as he is now.
“He knows, because we had this conversation, that he needed someone shaking him and saying: ‘Come on, wake up, you have the potential, but still you have done nothing’. [And] he understands this is the only way to be as good as he can. The way he manages this season will be crucial for him to be a very good player in the future.”
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