Gordon seeks out manager after being left out
Everton teenager Anthony Gordon has sought answers from manager Carlo Ancelotti about his absence from the Premier League squad.
Gordon was impressive against Salford City in the last round of the Carabao Cup, but the 19-year- old was not among the substitutes for the league victories against Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion.
Far from causing an issue with Ancelotti, the Italian said he was delighted that such a young player so passionately believed he deserved a place in the match- day squad. The conversation took place after the opening weekend win at Spurs, when Gordon was disappointed to be omitted.
“I love that he asked the question because this means that he is really interested to do a proper job,” Ancelotti said. “I didn’t explain to him, but he wanted an explanation.
“So I explained to him and said the squad is really competitive and sometimes it can happen that the players are not involved. But this doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in them. I believe and so he had the opportunity against Salford to show his quality and he took the opportunity because he played really well.
“But it can happen that sometimes players, important players, are not involved in the game.”
Gordon will get another opportunity when Ancelotti tests the depth of squad for the trip to Fleetwood Town tonight. The Italian made 10 changes a week ago and is likely to do similar.
Everton announced yesterday that back- up goalkeeper Joao Virginia had signed a new four-year contract. Virginia deputised for Jordan Pickford against Salford City and will do so again.