Predicting Everton’s XI post-Gordon; £30m man among 4 more signings

Everton fans fretting about the departure of Anthony Gordon to Chelsea need only look at the terrific start to the new Premier League season made by Leeds United for reassurance. Maybe, just maybe things will work out after all. 

Earlier in the summer, a Leeds side who avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth in May lost Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips – arguably the two most influential players – to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively.  

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But Jesse Marsch, Victor Orta and co chose to ignore the dark clouds and focus instead on a silver lining. With the money earned by the sale of two star men, Leeds reinvested and reinvested brilliantly. In Marc Roca, Luis Sinisterra and Tyler Adams, to name but three. 

Suddenly, Leeds’ squad looks less like a group of 5/10s with a couple of 8s, and now more akin to one with 7s all across the board. If Everton can take a similar approach – presuming Gordon completes his staggering £60 million move to Chelsea before September’s transfer deadline – maybe they too cannot bounce back stronger than before

How will Everton look if Anthony Gordon joins Chelsea?

According to talkSPORT, Everton could demand Armando Broja as part of the Gordon deal. Two hugely exciting young wide forwards, but one scored nine goals last season while the other got just five. Broja, labelled ‘outstanding’ and ‘the real deal’ by Martin Keown, would step neatly into the space vacated by Richarlison, his speed, skill and eye for goal having made the turbo-charged Albanian one of last season’s breakthrough stars at Southampton. 

Some may even label him an upgrade on the exciting but erratic Gordon.

TalkSPORT claim that Everton are also keen on Broja’s Chelsea team-mate Conor Gallagher. Both are wanted on loan. Due to Premier League regulations, however, Everton would have to sign one of the two on a permanent basis. That is, of course, if they want both through the door.

The more likely to arrive on a full-time deal is probably Broja, given that he will fall further down Thomas Tuchel’s pecking order once Gordon arrives. 

Another short-term loan for Gallagher, however, could benefit all parties. The England international needs to start games week-in, week-out, if he’s to make it into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad. Everton can offer him that, plus the chance to hone his considerable talents under his boyhood idol; the Stamford Bridge legend Frank Lampard.  Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

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Broja and Gallagher in at Everton?

Chelsea offering £50 million up front for Gordon. With Broja likely to set Everton back around £30 million if he arrives permanently, that leaves Lampard and Kevin Thelwell with a further £20 million to play with. 

Three-quarters of that could be spent on James Garner; a stylish, cultured central midfielder with a wicked set-piece in his locker. According to The Athletic, Everton opened talks with Manchester United this week.

Per The Mail, Anthony Elanga is another Old Trafford prospect on Lampard’s radar. 

If Broja is an ideal Richarlison replacement, then Elanga could fill in for Gordon on the opposite flank. While not as far along in his development as Gordon, Elanga is the kind of direct, relentless attacker Lampard likes. The Sweden international ran Trent Alexander-Arnold ragged during United’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Monday.  Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

Calvert-Lewin competition

A new number nine is also required at Goodison Park, due to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ongoing injury problems. Sasa Kalajdzic and Serhou Guirassy have been linked, alongside Ben Brereton-Diaz. Guirassy feels the most likely however; 90Min saying that talks with the Rennes targetman are progressing. Guirassy’s representatives are now in England, talking to Everton. 

6ft 2ins and an aerial threat, Guirassy would mean Lampard can set his attack up in largely the same way. Even when Calvert-Lewin is unavailable; no ripping up of the blueprint required.  

Of course, Everton’s chances of following Leeds’, erm, lead depends on the club getting things right in the transfer market. And their recruitment record in recent years has been, well, let’s just say it’s left a lot to be desired. 

But if Thelwell and Lampard can succeed where Benitez, Brands and co failed, then there is no reason why Everton cannot bounce back stronger from the departure of their most exciting academy graduate since a baby-faced Wayne Rooney.