Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has questioned Chelsea’s pursuit of Anthony Gordon by claiming the Everton winger ‘doesn’t fit’ in Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The London club reportedly had a £40million offer rejected for Gordon on Sunday afternoon and there are said to be internal discussions at Stamford Bridge over whether to return with a second improved bid of £50million.
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly could also float the idea of a player-plus-cash offer - with Everton ,manager Frank Lampard known to be keen on the likes of Armando Broja, Connor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour. Such deals, however, are rare in modern football.
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But those in charge at Goodison Park, Lampard included, do not want to sell their talisman under any circumstances following the departure of Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer. And former England youth international Onuoha has questioned Chelsea’s determination to sign the 21-year-old prospect on the basis that there is no obvious role for him within Tuchel’s side.
“He’s a big prospect but it’s £50m for a prospect,” Onuoha told ESPN FC . “At the moment, I couldn’t put him into this Chelsea team and see where he fits. I’m looking at Hakim Ziyech, I’m looking at Christian Pulisic; they are technically really good players but they do not really take people on, and that’s one of Anthony Gordon’s huge strengths.
“Playing for Chelsea, where the expectation is to win every game, and if you don’t win two in a row it’s a mini crisis, I feel you need a strong mentality to deal with that pressure. I’m not sure Anthony Gordon at this moment in time is.
“He doesn’t fit in with this current style of play. [Callum Hudson-Odoi] is like another version of Anthony Gordon, and he can’t get into the team.”
Reports tonight have suggested that Gordon would be keen on a move to Chelsea.
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