Anthony Gordon says Everton have a ‘great’ player in their ranks, he’s never seen anyone like him

Wed 22 September 2021 21:19, UK

Everton ace Anthony Gordon has waxed lyrical about Toffees teammate Andros Townsend.

The Goodison academy graduate admits he’s “never seen” a wide player like Townsend, and says he’s learned a lot from the 30-year-old.

Townsend was Rafael Benitez’s first signing at Everton, and despite a mixed reaction to his arrival, he quickly won any doubters over.

The former Crystal Palace ace was once again the Toffees’ saviour in their League Cup meeting with QPR on Tuesday.

Townsend provided a superb chipped ball to Lucas Digne for Everton’s equaliser, then got on the scoresheet himself in the second half.

Sadly, the Blues couldn’t progress in the competition as they lost the ensuing penalty shootout, but Townsend emerged with plenty of credit.

Speaking to the Everton , Gordon sung Townsend’s praises.

“I have never seen a [wide] player of Andros’ type, he is so direct and you see that in his goals and assists,” he said.

“He is experienced and a great person and I’ve learned a lot from him already.”

Everton have “the closest thing to Arjen Robben” in their ranks

Prior to joining the Toffees, Townsend made 185 competitive appearances for Palace, registering 16 goals and 28 assists.

And before joining Palace, he had been on the books at Newcastle and Spurs, where he came through the ranks.

In 2013, Harry Redknapp famously compared Townsend to Arjen Robben after he was called up to the England squad.

“If you look at Arjen Robben, Andros Townsend is the closest thing we have produced to him,” the quoted him as saying.

“I’m not saying he is Robben yet, he is not, but he is very similar.

“He plays on the right, dribbles well, runs at people, gets shots at goal.

“I think he could be fantastic on that big pitch at Wembley, a real threat.”

Townsend has won 13 caps for England.