Rafa Benitez has admitted he had reservations about Anthony Gordon during his early days as Everton manager.
After a spell on loan at Championship side Preston North End in the second half of the 2020/21 season, Gordon returned to Goodison Park last summer and was handed a chance in the Everton first team, appearing in 16 of Benitez's 19 Premier League games in charge before he was sacked.
However, despite being one of the few positives of the former Liverpool manager's reign at Goodison Park, Benitez has revealed he had doubts about Gordon's physical ability and mental attributes during the club's pre-season tour of the United States.
READ MORE: Rafa Benitez claims Liverpool history stopped him from making Everton 'decisions'
READ MORE: David Unsworth to bring in former Everton pair after taking Oldham Athletic job
"We played a friendly in Miami in pre-season and after 50 minutes, he couldn't run," Benitez told Sky Sports. "We knew he was a player with quality on the ball, could finish, pass and had pace. But he couldn't run. We had a conversation with him after the game. It was hot, but he's a young player.
"I was talking with the coaches in the academy and my assistant and they said they weren't sure. They knew he had the talent but maybe it was his mentality."
But despite initial doubts, Benitez hailed Gordon for his willingness to improve and admits he is pleased to have seen him since develop into one of Everton's star players since.
"We spent time with him, but the main thing was to change his mentality and he was very keen to do it," Benitez added. "He worked really hard, he improved his stamina and he got better and better because he had the potential.
"He has to improve some parts of his game, he knows that. But I'm really pleased to see him progressing because he's a nice lad."
Gordon, who joined Everton as an 11-year-old, has been in fine form so far this season and he helped Frank Lampard's side fill the void of Dominic Calvert-Lewin's absence in the early weeks of the campaign prior to the arrival of Neal Maupay from Brighton. The 21-year-old, playing as a central attacker, fired goals against Brentford and Leeds United. He was also the subject of a failed £45m bid from Chelsea before the transfer window closed.
READ NEXT:
-
Frank Lampard dilemma as Everton are now stacked in former problem position
-
Everton's transfer success has helped Frank Lampard answer burning managerial question
-
Everton defender told 'he can't be dropped' after memorable derby goal
-
'Media nonsense' - Andros Townsend makes Everton point when defending Brendan Rodgers
- New 'Cristiano Ronaldo' moment summed up how Everton are now a very different beast
