Former Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez says Anthony Gordon heeded his warning about his attitude and became a better player at Everton under his watch. The former Blues boss claims the playmaker, who is reportedly closing in on a move to St. James' Park, had issues with his stamina and mentality prior to breaking into the first-team.
Gordon spent the second half of the 2020-21 campaign on loan with Championship side Preston North-end, making 11 appearances in the second tier. The Toffees academy graduate returned from the loan spell with North-End and forced his way into the first-team set-up with the Blues.
Benitez says there were never any doubts over his talents, but his mentality had to change. The Spaniard says Gordon was very keen on making that change and was getting better on the pitch.
READ MORE: Anthony Gordon transfer 'agreed' as Newcastle United look to complete deal for Everton star
Gordon has missed three days training with Everton as he looks to force a move to St. James' Park. The playmaker is in line for talks with incoming Blues boss Sean Dyche, but reports claim both parties have agreed a deal with Newcastle.
Benitez told Sky Sports : "We played in Miami in pre-season and after 50 minutes he couldn't run. We knew he was a player with quality on the ball, finishing, passing, with pace - but he couldn't run. We had that conversation with him after the game, it was hot but a young player should be okay but he had issues with his stamina.
"I was talking with the coaches in the academy and my assistants and then he went to Preston on loan. They said we know he has the talent, but maybe not the mentality. The boy told me, when he was in the national team U19s he was one of the best players, but he wasn't going to the U21s because they didn't see how hard he worked.
"He was confident that the way he was training was working. He played 12 games in total with us and he was doing well, I am really pleased to see him progressing. He has to improve some parts of his game - he knows that.
"We were spending time with him, but the main one was to change his mentality, and he was very keen to do it. He was working so hard on the pitch that he was getting better, because he had the potential."
READ NEXT
- Wembley hotels inundated, Howe's Sir Bobby Robson moment and Pope record
- Adam Armstrong gives Southampton verdict after Newcastle left Saints rattled
Win a £500 Voucher in our Star of Qatar World Cup January transfer window competition
- Eddie Howe's Newcastle United semi-final warning after 'delicate' first leg
- Bruno Guimaraes sends dressing room message as Newcastle United eye Wembley
- Newcastle United revamp their scouting network as Dan Ashworth masterplan takes shape
