Anthony Gordon admits he was left 'hurt' by Everton's short farewell statement after completing his move to Newcastle United. The England youth international became the Magpies' first January recruit in a deal worth up to £45 million, and made his full debut in the defeat at Manchester City on Saturday.
Gordon enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at Goodison Park last season under Frank Lampard, but struggled for form in the early stages of the current campaign. The forward was the subject of transfer interest from Chelsea and Newcastle over the summer, and fell out of favour in his final weeks on Merseyside.
Everton fans chased Gordon's car as he drove away from the stadium in the aftermath of a damaging home defeat to Southampton in January. The 22-year-old posted a goodbye message on social media once the transfer was announced, thanking the Toffees for being his 'second family'.
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However, the club statement confirming the deal was judged by many to be cold, citing his debut in December 2017 and his return of seven goals in 78 seniot appearances. Speaking ahead of Newcastle's home encounter with Wolves on Sunday, Gordon believes he deserved more from his former club, having played a 'massive' part in helping them avoid relegation last season.
He told Sky Sports News: "Yeah, it did. It hurt me a bit, I'm not going to lie. I'm a 22-year-old lad, I'm not going to handle every situation in life perfectly.
"But as a club with thousands of people working for them, I think the effort I gave them last year, I was a massive part in keeping the club up, I won Player's Player and Manager's Player of the Year. So for them not to really show me any credit or thank me for anything, it hurt me a little bit."
Gordon was handed the number eight shirt at Newcastle following Jonjo Shelvey's deadline-day exit to Nottingham Forest. The forward could make his first start at St James' Park this weekend, but insists the circumstances of his move away from Everton will not change his attachment to his former side.
Gordon said: "My whole life has been at Everton, I grew up at Everton. I wasn't going out with friends when I was younger, I was always in Everton. It has a massive place in my heart and in my life which I'll never forget. From afar, I'll always be rooting for them. I'll always be wishing them the best."
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