Anthony Gordon can prove he is 'fit to wear' the Newcastle United shirt just months after being told the very opposite by irate Everton fans outside Goodison Park.
Gordon most likely didn't need it but undoubtedly has added motivation to spark his Newcastle United career into life at his former stomping ground this week. The Magpies attacker will no doubt be prepared for a hostile reception when returning to Goodison Park for the first after leaving Merseyside under a cloud in January.
Everton fans turned on the 22-year-old with the Toffees struggling for form under ex-boss Frank Lampard over the festive period and into the new year. Gordon took a wealth of flak which culminated in the youngster being called a 'k***head' as he was hounded outside the club's stadium when driving away from the 2-1 defeat to Southampton back in January.
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Gordon is clearly relishing the return as he took to social media on Monday, posting a picture of himself at St James' Park with the caption 'see you Thursday'. The attacker has struggled for game time since moving to Tyneside but if any game is going to get the juices flowing, it's the chance to right the wrongs of his abrupt Everton exit.
The Toffees rubbed salt in the wounds with a short statement upon his departure, barely acknowledging his decade at Finch Farm. Everton’s short goodbye message read: “Anthony Gordon has joined Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee. The 21-year-old forward leaves Everton after having submitted a formal transfer request.
“Gordon joined the club’s academy at the age of 11 and made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in a Europa League tie in December 2017. He went on to make 78 First-Team appearances, scoring seven goals.”
“It did hurt me, I’m not going to lie to you," Gordon replied when addressing the club's farewell. "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… After the part I played keeping them up — I won player’s player, manager’s player of the year — for them to not show me any credit or thank me, it hurt me a little bit.”
The only issue Gordon faces in his bid to prove Everton fans wrong is the fact he may not start for Newcastle on Thursday evening. Jacob Murphy and Joelinton will feel aggrieved should they lose their spot in Eddie Howe's starting XI after barnstorming performances in the 6-1 victory over Tottenham.
Should Gordon be required off the bench, however, he will need no extra motivation to finally kickstart his Magpies career after a stop-start beginning to life in black and white.
