Anthony Gordon admits he was 'desperate' to leave Everton for another club before Newcastle

Anthony Gordon has revealed he was "desperate" to leave Everton before he eventually exited the club in acrimonious circumstances. The Academy graduate joined Newcastle United in January 2023 in a deal that could be worth £45m.

But if Gordon would have had his way, he would have left sooner. The winger was subject of serious interest in the summer of 2022 from Chelsea, who at the time were managed by Thomas Tuchel.

Gordon admits Tuchel "said some really complimentary things to me" after a game against Chelsea for Everton and that he wanted to link up with the German when the Stamford Bridge outfit made their approach.

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The Blues stood firm and Gordon went on to stay another six months on Merseyside before he got his wish to depart and signed for Newcastle.

The 23-year-old, who was reported to be keen to leave the Magpies in the summer after an approach from Everton's rivals and his boyhood club Liverpool, will now get the chance to work with Tuchel after the 51-year-old was appointed as England's new head coach.

And speaking before tonight's UEFA Nations League clash in Greece, Gordon has opened up on how close he came to signing for Tuchel, who was sacked by Chelsea in September 2022.

"It was quite close to be honest," said Gordon, who missed a penalty in front of the Gwladys Street End on his return to Goodison Park with Newcastle earlier this season.

"I was desperate to go at the time and work with him especially. I felt like my style would suit his style of play, the way he was playing at Chelsea which was very exciting for me. It didn't end up happening.

"It was a big opportunity for me that didn't end up happening and I'm looking forward to getting to work with him a couple of years later."

Asked if he spoke to Tuchel, Gordon said: "Spoke to him after the game, we played Chelsea when I played for Everton.

"I shook his hand and that was about it, he said some really complimentary things to me that I'll keep to myself.

"I felt a lot of warmth from him which then in turn made me really want to play for him, but I didn't get that chance."

Gordon, who has signed a new contract with Newcastle after the move to Liverpool collapsed, will be hoping to feature for England against Greece tonight after being restricted to a brief cameo during the European Championship in Germany the summer.

After leading the Three Lions to a second successive final, where they lost to Spain, Gareth Southgate stood down to be replaced by interim head coach and former Everton midfielder Lee Carsley, who will hand the job over to Tuchel at the beginning of 2025.