Everton boss Frank Lampard has allayed fears that the Toffees could be set to lose Antony Gordon over the closing days of the summer transfer window.
The youngster has been the topic of major interest from across the Premier League with Chelsea eyeing a move. Reports have suggested that the Blues are willing to pay up to £60m for the Toffees academy graduate, whilst they are also attempting to rubber-stamp moves for Wesley Fofana and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The speculation does not appear to have hampered the youngster’s displays though. His smartly-taken goal in the 1-1 draw with Leeds United was his second strike in as many games and represents the first time that the 21-year-old has scored in back-to-back Premier League games.
Following the draw at Elland Road, Lampard has said that he is not concerned about losing Gordon over the final 48 hours of the transfer window. Speaking with BT Sport, the Everton boss said: "I don't have to worry about him anymore.
"There’s a couple more days. You saw the worth he is at the club. His attitude is amazing. I always told him from the day I joined the club ‘I want more goals from you' because he’s got everything: attitude, ability and speed. It was a great finish. And that will give him confidence to carry on."
Gordon has been playing a somewhat unconventional role recently, with the Toffees not having a natural forward to call on following Dominic Calvert-Lewin 's injury.
Do you still think Chelsea will be able to seal a deal for Anthony Gordon? Share your thoughts in the comments below
They have attempted to rectify that having sealed a deal for Brighton striker Neal Maupay but he was not able to play against Leeds due to not being registered in time. Lampard has praised Gordon for stepping up for the Merseysiders over recent weeks.
"It’s great we’re playing games at the minute without a striker, an out-and-out striker as such so we need that input from what is our wingers," he said. "Demarai [Gray] has been really good for us in that front and Anthony today. Now we’re getting a striker that can play the next game.
"We’ll get stronger but the spirit of the team was fantastic tonight."
The draw in Yorkshire saw Everton's winless start to the campaign continue - the Toffees having failed to earn maximum points in any of their opening five matches. Despite that, Lampard was full of praise for his side and suggested that their performance against Leeds was potentially worthy of their first victory of the season.
"We could have got all three points. Really, really good spirit from us, really good organisation. It’s a really tough place to come because of the way they play.
"They’re all in, the pressure is high. You saw the result they got against Chelsea, the first game of the season against Wolves, a goal down and the momentum can build in this stadium very quickly.
"I thought we played well with a spirit with a defensive attitude of the team, the breakaways. We had good chances in the second-half to go and win the game."
