Anthony Gordon 'was desperate' to join Chelsea and move was 'quite close'

England winger Anthony Gordon, who first caught Thomas Tuchel’s eye while at Everton in 2022, is convinced their new partnership could be a match made in football heaven.

Back then, the former Chelsea manager attempted to charm him to the capital after a standout performance at Stamford Bridge, where Tuchel lavished him with praise.

Despite Everton’s firm stance on the transfer fee thwarting a move, Gordon has never forgotten Tuchel’s words and has expressed his reciprocal admiration to the new England manager.

As Gordon prepares to face Greece in Athens for a pivotal Nations League clash, he remains hopeful of thriving under Tuchel. Reflecting on the near-transfer to Chelsea, Gordon shared: “Yeah, it was quite close to be honest (move to Chelsea).

“I was desperate to go at the time, and work with him especially. I felt like my style would suit his style of play, the way he was playing at Chelsea, which was very exciting for me.

“I spoke to him after the game. I shook his hand and that was about it, he said some really complimentary things to me, that I’ll keep to myself.

“But I felt a lot of warmth from him, which then in turn made me really want to play for him, but I didn’t get that chance.”

Despite the missed opportunity, Gordon looks forward to working with Tuchel for England. He said: “It didn’t end up happening. It was a big opportunity for me that didn’t happen, and I’m looking forward to getting to work with him a couple of years later.”

The Newcastle forward continued: “No, definitely not (I didn’t expect him to work with him in future). He was doing so well at Chelsea at that point, that it’s hard to imagine what will come in the future.”

Tuchel will not take over until January 1 but Gordon said: “I think he can watch the games back wherever he is in the world, which I’m sure he’ll be doing.

“He’ll be wanting to take a look at the squad, and the players available to him when it comes to that point. So no, I’m not surprised by that.”

Dispelling the notion that England players should play for Tuchel’s approval, Gordon insists their focus is on vindicating themselves against Greece following an upset at Wembley last month.

The 23-year-old Liverpudlian continued: “I wouldn’t think we have to impress for the new manager, to be honest, just because that’s way too far into the future. We have got to be present with what’s in front of us.

“We’re facing a Greece team who have just beaten us, and we’ve still got Lee (Carsley) in charge, so we have to impress him.

“All the focus is on right now, and putting that game right from last time we played them. We can only focus on the players who are here, and the players who are here are really top level.

“A lot of players have hundreds of caps here, so it’s really good to have a good squad with us still.”