Andros Townsend thinks he knows exactly why one former Everton player did not immediately hit the heights at Goodison Park.
David Moyes has seen a real influx of quality to the Everton squad over the summer transfer window.
The Friedkins were in desperate need of improving the squad they had inherited back in December, with numerous players also leaving at the end of their contracts.
Following the window, Moyes was delighted with Everton’s transfer business after seeing players like Jack Grealish land on Merseyside.
Everton now have some extremely talented wingers in their squad, with Iliman Ndiaye continuing to impress Moyes.
However, the former Everton winger, Townsend, has admitted there was one teammate of his who simply did not work hard enough at the Toffees.
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Andros Townsend says former Everton star didn’t work hard enough
Having joined the Toffees back in 2021, Townsend admitted he only signed for Everton because of Rafa Benitez.
The former Tottenham Hotspur winger spent two years on Merseyside, but he was not overly impressed with something he saw.
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Speaking on the Football Daily podcast, Townsend has taken aim at Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon for his initial efforts at Goodison.
“Well, when he first, when I first joined Everton, he was a young lad and you could see he had quality. He had immense pace, obviously, but he didn’t work hard enough,” said Townsend.
“In a modern day winger, you need to, out of possession, You need to be the first line of press. And he wasn’t doing that. And then it sort of clicked for him.”
Conor Coady has said Gordon was focused on being the best, but it appears that mentality may have taken some time to really kick in at Everton.
Goals were few and far between for the winger during his days at Everton but Townsend clearly feels he has kicked on since his time with the Blues.
Anthony Gordon has already trumped his Everton record
Since leaving Everton, Gordon has broken into the England squad and taken his game up a level in front of goal.
The former Everton player was in action on Tuesday night in the Champions League where he was able to find the back of the net for the Magpies.
Wayne Rooney did slam Gordon’s handling of his Everton exit, which left a sour taste in the mouth for many fans across Merseyside.
Anthony Gordon Everton Newcastle United
Appearances 78 115
Goals 7 26
Assists 8 24
But the player will back that move having now played in the elite European competition.
With Ndiaye and Jack Grealish playing at the level they are currently at, there won’t be too many Everton fans who will even be thinking about what could have been for Gordon on Merseyside.