Everton hoping to keep player who’s been shocked by Lampard’s tactics even if they are relegated

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Everton will hope to keep hold of academy star Anthony Gordon if they do get relegated to the Championship, according to the Telegraph.

The 21-year-old had started every single game under Frank Lampard prior to being put on the bench against West Ham United on Sunday.

The winger scored his first Premier League goal under Lampard’s predecessor Rafa Benitez and has become a key part of the struggling Toffees side.

With three goals and two assists to his name this season, Everton’s number 24 has been a shining light in what has been a dreadful campaign for the Goodison Park side.

Everton plan to keep Anthony Gordon even if they go down

Born and bred in Liverpool, Gordon will be desperate to preserve the Toffees’ top-flight status and he will be hoping for a recall in the starting line-up for tomorrow night’s crucial trip to Burnley.

With three goals in four games for Lee Carsley’s England Under-21s, Gordon is quickly building a reputation as one of the top talents in the country.

While his short-term focus will be on keeping Everton in the Premier League, a late dash into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup plans cannot be ruled out if he kicks on for the rest of the campaign and beyond.

But even if the inexplicable happens and Everton are relegated to the Championship, Everton do hope to hang onto Gordon, following his breakthrough campaign.

Lampard has touched on the Scousers’ talent several times, since arriving on Merseyside, most recently praising the winger’s attitude.

The former Chelsea boss told Everton prior to Sunday’s defeat at West Ham: “Anthony’s started every game for me, I enjoy working with him. He’s a pleasure to work with for his attitude and quality.

“Players like that with his application improve quickly because they understand what they need to improve on and want to improve on. He’s a dream to work with on that level.

“It is an area of the pitch where we do have competition, but Anthony’s really stood up and continues to do so. Very excited to be working with him all the time.”

Gordon has previously admitted that he has been left ‘very surprised’ by what Lampard has brought to Everton from a tactical standpoint, as he told Sky Sports News.