Everton manager Frank Lampard has no concerns over Anthony Gordon refusing to play in order to force through an exit, amid continued speculation over a move to Chelsea.
Chelsea are reported to have already had multiple offers knocked back for the 21-year-old, the most recent of which was said to be worth £45million.
Lampard s former side Chelsea could yet make another approach prior to Thursday s deadline, with boss Thomas Tuchel hinting he is hopeful of further additions.
While Wesley Fofana has been overlooked for selection by Leicester City ahead of a move to Chelsea, and Willy Boly allegedly refused to play against Newcastle United as he seeks a move away from Wolves, Lampard does not expect any such problems from Gordon.
Anthony wouldn t, shouldn t, couldn t do that with me. If he did try and sit out a game he d see a different side to me, Lampard told reporters. There s no doubt about that and I think he knows that.
I m not playing the hard one – it s just that it would be so alien from what I d expect from him. I just know that s not him.
At the same time he s not a robot and all this attention is difficult. I understand that – I was that ambitious young player.
That s the beauty of Anthony. He s hard working and he wants to be better. He wants to do what he did [on Saturday], which is score goals, run for this team, and that’s why he s a delight to work with. So there was never any idea that Anthony would act that way.
Tomorrow.
— Everton (@Everton)
Gordon s goal in Saturday s 1-1 draw with Brentford – extending Everton s winless start to the Premier League season to four matches – was his fifth in 64 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions.
He has played a full part in all four of this side s league games this term and Lampard intends to select the winger against Leeds United on Tuesday, regardless of the ongoing gossip.
He s in the squad Tuesday, for sure, Lampard said. His character s great. He s in the squad.
When it was put to Lampard that he had been in a similar position prior to leaving boyhood club West Ham for London rivals Chelsea in 2001, the former England international pointed out Gordon has only been a first-team regular for one season.
I played three-and-a-half, four seasons for West Ham, so there s my answer for Anthony. He s played one for us, Lampard said.
He s a huge player for us. We re getting towards the end of the window now and Anthony s a huge player for us and will be this season.
Lampard also confirmed Mason Holgate is expected to miss several weeks with a knee injury sustained against Brentford, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure remain on the sidelines, but new signing Neal Maupay may feature at Elland Road.
