'I had to': Demarai Gray says he stopped 21-year-old Everton teammate having a fight with Yerry Mina last year

By Sam Preston

Demarai Gray says he broke up a training ground argument between Everton teammates Yerry Mina and Anthony Gordon last season.

In an interview with the Athletic, Gray opened up on what the atmosphere was like around the club during that relegation fight.

He said altercations never really turned physical, but people were at each other’s throats at times, with tempers often threatening to boil over.

Gray on Gordon and Mina

“We fought with each other a lot towards the end of the season,” Gray said.

“It never got to the physical point. People would step in before that. Just vocals and getting at one another.

“You need that. It’s important. I always laugh after. Seamus (Coleman) is the peacemaker — lovely guy but he’ll tell you how it is. Dom (Calvert-Lewin) had one. You don’t mess with Yerry (Mina).

“I remember one time Yerry had a little pop at Anthony (Gordon). You see how Anthony plays, he’s fiery, so he’ll give it back and I had to separate it on the pitch. But we laugh about it later.”

These things seem fairly common at the top level of football, where everyone wants to win and especially if things are not going well.

Everton got out of trouble in the end and things seem to be much better at Goodison Park this season, with Frank Lampard getting his ideas across.

Gordon is still only 21 years old, with plenty to learn about the game but perhaps he will not be in a rush to take on Mina any time soon!