After completing his transfer to Newcastle United, Anthony Gordon has revealed feeling “hurt” by Everton’s brief farewell statement, writes the ChronicleLive.
The England youth international joined the Magpies in a deal worth up to £45 million and made his full debut in their defeat against Manchester City on Saturday. Although Gordon had a breakthrough season at Goodison Park under Frank Lampard, he struggled for form in the early stages of the current campaign.
As a result, he was the subject of transfer interest from Chelsea and Newcastle during the summer, but subsequently fell out of favour in his final weeks on Merseyside. Everton fans even chased his car after a home defeat to Southampton in January.
Once his transfer was announced, the 22-year-old expressed gratitude towards the Toffees on social media, describing them as his “second family.” However, many felt that the club’s official statement was unemotional, merely mentioning his debut in December 2017 and his return of seven goals in 78 senior appearances.
Speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of Newcastle’s match against Wolves, Gordon felt that he deserved more from his former club after playing a “massive” part in helping them avoid relegation last season. He won Player’s Player and Manager’s Player of the Year.
Although Gordon has now been given the number eight shirt at Newcastle, following Jonjo Shelvey’s departure to Nottingham Forest, he insists that his move away from Everton will not change his attachment to his former side.
He told Sky Sports News: “Yeah, it did. It hurt me a bit, I’m not going to lie. I’m a 22-year-old lad, I’m not going to handle every situation in life perfectly.
“But as a club with thousands of people working for them, I think the effort I gave them last year, I was a massive part in keeping the club up, I won Player’s Player and Manager’s Player of the Year. So for them not to really show me any credit or thank me for anything, it hurt me a little bit.”