Anthony Gordon has spent more than two years waiting for a date with Thomas Tuchel.
And while he might have to be patient for a few months longer, Gordon is convinced once it happens it could be a marriage made in heaven. The England winger was still making his name at Everton back in 2022 when then Chelsea boss Tuchel tried to lure him to London.
The pair spoke following a game at Stamford Bridge, when Tuchel showered him with compliments. Gordon’s move to Chelsea failed to materialise, after Everton dug their heels in over the fee.
But Gordon never forgot what Tuchel had to say about him. And he has told the incoming England boss the feelings are mutual. Gordon will line up against Greece tonight in Athens for a Nations League game the Three Lions have to win to stand a chance of topping their group.
He said: “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.
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“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.
“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.”
Gordon is surprised Tuchel has ended up becoming England boss, but not surprised the German is not in the Greek capital to run the rule over his new team, before starting his job on January 1.
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The Newcastle star said: “No, definitely not. He was doing so so well at Chelsea at that point, that it’s hard to imagine what will come in the future.
“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.”
While some England stars will be on a mission to impress Tuchel, Gordon believes the priority is taking revenge on a Greek side who pulled off a shock win at Wembley last month.
(Image: Matt McNulty)
He added: “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.”