Anthony Gordon opened up about how he actually felt about leaving Everton in an interview with Gary Neville.
The 23-year-old completed his move to Tyneside on January deadline day 2023. It was by no means a clean exit from Goodison Park, with suggestions he was trying to force a move and refusing to play.
Evidently, leaving Merseyside was the right choice. Gordon has 18 goal involvements in the Premier League this season and is now in with an excellent chance of heading to the European Championships next summer.
Anthony Gordon sets record straight on Everton exit
As previously mentioned, Gordon’s exit was far from amicable, and now, the former Toffee has opened up about what actually occurred.
Gordon said: “The whole process was difficult. You said I am mentally strong, but I think that has played a massive part of me being who I am now. I am very thankful, but it was so hard at the time. Liverpool’s biggest unity is everyone being together, Scousers looking after Scousers.
“And for someone to leave that environment, nobody is going to like it, and rightly so, but ultimately, I am too ambitious to turn down the opportunity which was presented to me. Newcastle were only going one way and looking from the outside they were flying, I think they were fourth when I was signing, so it’s a no brainer. My ambition is to be at the very top of football and I couldn’t do that where I was.”
Everton released a short statement confirming the winger’s exit, something Neville quizzed the Newcastle United attacker on.
Neville asked: “How it ended didn’t have to be like that, the statement – I don’t even know what you would call the statement they put out – it was small. It was almost as if they were playing to the crowd, Anthony wants to leave, we have let him go, almost like they were discarding you a little bit. It didn’t have to be like that, surely?”
Gordon replied: “It didn’t. That’s the thing: a lot of what you see in the media is club-driven, and I didn’t care too much to change the perspective because I’m very comfortable in myself and how it ended up, and ultimately, I got what I wanted. I joined Newcastle.
“I did want to leave, but also, the club did have to sell me. The way it played out was that I was desperate to leave and that was never really the case, I just wanted to fulfil my ambitions. But I never was bothered about wanting to change people’s minds, if they believe what they read, it’s fine by me.”
Anthony Gordon Everton exit the best for all concerned
The manner of Gordon’s exit was far from ideal, but it’s evident that the move was best for all concerned. He’s now a regular at St James’ Park and has a genuine chance of making Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Championships in the summer.
Had he remained at Everton, it would have been hard to envisage Gordon making a genuine play for the end-of-season tournament.
Furthermore, the £45million fee has undoubtedly aided the Toffees. Significant transfer fees will go a long way in balancing the books in a season marred with points deductions and PSR.
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