Frank Lampard has name-checked Anthony Gordon as someone he loved managing at Everton.
Speaking on The Diary of a CEO podcast, the former Toffees boss revealed his biggest pleasure in coaching has been improving young players, with Gordon standing out to him during his time on Merseyside.
Despite making his Premier League debut two years earlier, Gordon was handed his real chance in the first team under Rafa Benitez during the 2021-22 season.
Following Lampard’s arrival in January 2022, the youngster continued to thrive at Goodison Park and caught the eye of a number of elite clubs.
Speaking to Steven Bartlett on his podcast, Lampard said: “‘I think my biggest pleasure is coaching and improving young players and I’ve had the fortune to work with some really good young players.
“At Derby I had Mason Mount, Harry Wilson, Fikayo Tomori… and then at Chelsea I had Tammy Abraham and at Everton I had Anthony Gordon etc.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
“I think they are the real sponges that are a pleasure to work with.”
Lampard was able to get the best out of Gordon during his time at the club and he was soon the subject of a staggering £60 million bid from Chelsea, before he eventually secured a controversial move to Newcastle United six months ago.
Do Everton miss Anthony Gordon?
Anthony Gordon was brilliant for Everton under Frank Lampard, however there are very few people that will claim that the forward has ever been worth the £45 million Newcastle United paid for him.
After Gordon had bagged only seven goals in the top flight since making his debut three years ago, the Toffees would have been silly not to accept such an offer.
While Everton struggled up top last season, Gordon certainly still looks replaceable and the only reason they will miss him is if they fail to invest in the attack this summer.
However, there is no doubt that fans would rather be struggling without him than have a Liverpool-born youngster at the club who was so desperate to leave.